Inter Milan has reportedly priced midfielder Nicolo Barella at £85.3 million amid Newcastle United’s interest in the player. The Italy international is said to be happy with Inter Milan, and the club has denied receiving any offer for him. However, if they were to consider selling him, they have slapped a starting bid of £85.3 million. The initial suggestion of £50 million reportedly caused an uproar at the Serie A club’s training ground.
Newcastle United is searching for a midfielder to play in the number 6 role, and Barella was a top target. Eddie Howe wants to allow Bruno Guimaraes to push further up the pitch in an attacking role, making any midfield signing necessary to strengthen the team’s engine room. Despite Barella’s crucial role in Italy’s Euro 2020 win and Inter’s run to the Champions League final, he is happy with the club and has pledged his future to it, with three years remaining in his current contract.
The move suggests that every player and club has a price, meaning that Inter would never dismiss a sale out of hand. The emergence of a starting bid price shows that they are open to negotiation but would require a vast sum to part with Barella. With a wealth of midfielders like Bruno, Joe Willock, Joelinton, and Sean Longstaff already vying for positions, Newcastle is still keen on bolstering their midfield even after Barella’s high asking price.
In contrast, Tottenham Hotspur recently failed in their bid for James Maddison, and Newcastle has released eight players in the first summer departures. It remains to be seen if the Magpies will pursue Barella at his current asking price and if they can secure other midfield targets to enhance their chances in the upcoming season.
