Reported Newcastle United transfer target Marcelo Brozovic out in another fantastic performance for Inter Milan at the weekend.
The Croatia international was making his 23rd appearance of the season and 17th in Serie A.
Brozovic has been a mainstay in the starting XI this term.
The 29-year-old operates the the team’s deep-lying playmaker, and he has been in really solid form so far.
On Sunday, Brozovic was in the Inter team to face Cagliari.
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It was a resounding 4-0 win for the hosts – and Brozovic was again in fine fettle.
According to Sofascore data, he completed 96/101 passes (95%) and had 112 touches in the game – only Nico Barella had more.
He was also fairly solid defensively, winning 7/10 duels.
His amazing pass accuracy against Calgliari follows statistics of 96% vs Real Madrid, 97% vs Roma and 94% vs Spezia.
Newcastle were recently linked with a move for the former Dinamo Zagreb player.
It was reported last month that he was a target for the Magpies in January.
He is out of contract next summer and it remains to be seen if Inter can agree an extension with him.
He is a crucial player for them and they will undoubtedly not want to lose him. However, their hand could be forced.
Marcelo Brozovic again shows he’d be a terrific signing for Newcastle
Brozovic really is a quality player.
Rarely does he grab the headlines, but he is just a consistent performer for Inter and the work he does is invaluable.
It is so important for teams that play possession football to have someone who is really good on the ball in that holding midfield position.
Brozovic is superb at picking the ball up from the centre-backs and then getting the ball forwards. He is also press-resistant, allow him to build attacking despite being under pressure.
Eddie Howe wants his side to have more of the ball and have greater control in games. Newcastle signing Brozovic will address that issue.
But it’s going to be a big ask. Brozovic is currently playing Champions League football and top of Serie A.