Newcastle United have not signed many midfielders during the PIF era.
Indeed, though Joelinton’s rebirth as an option there has certainly helped pad out Eddie Howe’s options in that particular department, not many new faces have arrived.
Bruno Guimaraes, of course, has established himself as perhaps Newcastle’s key player since joining from Lyon in January 2022. Sandro Tonali, meanwhile, impressed in flashes before he was banned from football.
They are the only two midfielders brought to the club during the PIF era, albeit Lewis Hall could also play there. That is not a criticism of the owners, particularly given the need to strengthen elsewhere, but it does mean options are reasonably light.
Perhaps it also explains links with big moves there this summer.
Nicolo Barella: Newcastle transfer latest
Inter Milan’s Nicolo Barella was linked during the summer, before Newcastle signed Tonali.
Now, however, links have emerged once more.
According to Italian outlet L’Interista, Newcastle are again keen on the midfielder – showing “great interest” – and there is some interesting news in regards to his contract.
Though the 26-year-old will have two years to run on his deal by the time the summer transfer window rolls around, the fact Inter are yet to agree an extension leaves them at risk.
The report adds that getting to the summer without a deal would leave the San Siro giants “dangerously close” to the deadline to sell Barella, presumably as they would struggle to extract maximum value with reasonably little time left on his deal.
Nicolo Barella to Newcastle: Big competition expected
Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool are all mentioned in the report, too. In fact, Reds boss Jurgen Klopp has previously hailed the player as “top class”.
With that in mind, the prospect of a Newcastle team not in the Champions League being able to compete financially seems somewhat far-fetched.
All of those three clubs have landed big players without playing in Europe’s elite competition of course but Newcastle are already having to spin plates when it comes to FFP even despite getting to the top table last season.
Should they miss out this time around, arrivals of Barella’s calibre do feel unlikely.
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