After Barella, NUFC could also miss out on his ‘irreplaceable’ £20m teammate

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Newcastle United have been linked with signing two Inter Milan midfielders this summer, but now neither could arrive at St James’ Park.

Nicolo Barella was the marquee name that Eddie Howe was trying to bring to St James’ Park. Talk of a move to Tyneside emerged earlier this month, and it was met with mass excitement from Toon fans.

However, that transfer is now off. Inter Milan’s asking price of £80million and the 26-year-old’s desire to remain in Italy ended all speculation of Barella heading to the North East. That is what ultimately led to the move for Sandro Tonali.

But Barella is not the only Inter midfielder who has been on Newcastle’s radar. Marcelo Brozovic has also been mentioned as a possible target. The Croatian has been linked ever since the change of ownership in 2021, and rumours of him joining Newcastle have continued into the present day.

A report in Italy stated that the Magpies expressed their interest in signing the 30-year-old before the Champions League final earlier this month, which Inter lost 1-0 to Manchester City.

The report stated that the ‘irreplaceable‘ Brozovic’s future would be sorted after the Champions League final, and that now looks set to be the case – but Newcastle are not in the conversation.

Marcelo Brozovic could be on his way to Saudi Arabia

According to Fabrizio Romano, Brozovic could be on his way to Saudi Arabia like so many top class players this summer.

The transfer expert states that the midfielder has the chance to sign for Al Nassr, who are one of the clubs that are now owned by PIF. A delegation from the Saudi club are in Milan to complete a £20million deal, with the final decision set to lie with Brozovic, who is seemingly yet to make his mind up.

With Tonali due to arrive from AC Milan, Newcastle will feel like they have not missed out on Brozovic. However, there is no denying that he is an elite midfielder with a wealth of experience that could have been very useful in the Champions League.

But Newcastle have gone for someone younger in Tonali, and that will definitely be the right decision in the long run.