Inter Milan will attempt to stand firm this summer in a bid to keep Newcastle target Nicolo Barella at the San Siro, after the Magpies made their interest in the midfielder known.
Newcastle chiefs have made contact with the Champions League finalists and are readying a first bid of around £50m.
But the Italian giants value the 26-year-old significantly higher, and will attempt to play hard ball with the Magpies.
It’s not clear at this stage whether Barella, who played a starring role in helping Inter to a domestic double and the Champions League final, would be interested in the move to Tyneside. He has, however, previously told of his desire to one day play in the Premier League.
Boss Eddie Howe insisted Newcastle wouldn’t shatter their wage ceiling this summer but United would have to make Barella, who scored nine goals for Inter last season, their highest earner to tempt him to St James’ Park.
Barella, who has previously been a target for Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, can play as a deep lying midfielder or slightly further forward, but Howe would plan to use the Italian as a No.6, allowing Bruno Guimaraes to play in a more advanced midfield role.
Strengthening the midfield is Howe’s priority this summer, with James Maddison the other top target. Leicester currently want £60m for the England international – higher than Newcastle’s valuation – but that asking price is likely to drop. Newcastle do, however, face serious competition from Tottenham, who are said to have made a £50m double offer for Maddison and teammate Harvey Barnes.
That was rejected by Leicester, but the Foxes have accepted both players are likely to move on this summer after relegation from the Premier League. Maddison only has 12 months to run on his Leicester deal.
As Newcastle prepare for the Champions League, Howe has no intentions of overhauling his squad, with the head coach instead prioritising two or three “elite” players to help take the Magpies to the next level.
Barella is certainly in that category. He has played for Italy 43 times and started the Euro 2020 final over England. Real Madrid were pondering a summer move for the midfielder before they completed the capture of Jude Bellingham.
Newcastle set about their planning for next season when they confirmed their retained list earlier this week, with Ciaran Clark and Matty Longstaff the only two senior exits.
Paul Dummett is weighing up a new contract offer from the club but is expected to stay. Loris Karius has an offer from Newcastle on the table. The former Liverpool keeper also has interest in Italy.
