Eddie Howe really wants to work with ‘outstanding’ £50m star at Newcastle

Add as preferred source on Google

The 2023 summer transfer window is not even a week old, and Newcastle United fans have already been shocked by talk of a move for Nicolo Barella.

Inter Milan superstar Barella emerged as a target for the Magpies last week, with the Telegraph breaking the news that Eddie Howe’s side are looking to bring the 26-year-old to St James’ Park.

He has been linked with a £50million move to Tyneside, although it has since been reported that it will take a lot more money to whisk him away from the Champions League finalists.

It remains unclear whether Barella would be interesting in joining Newcastle, but he is a player that Toon fans would absolutely love to watch on a weekly basis next season.

And it appears that Howe feels the same.

Eddie Howe really keen to bring Nicolo Barella to Newcastle

According to the Athletic, the Newcastle manager would love to work with Barella at St James’ Park.

They state that the Italy international is on the Magpies’ shortlist of midfield targets, but reporter George Caulkin adds that he is not aware of any official contact between the two clubs about a transfer.

When the first story about Barella broke, there was incredible excitement among Toon fans. However, there has been a lack of movement since then. A lot of supporters are going with the mindset that this deal won’t happen, simply because of how good he is.

Barella truly is an elite midfielder, and would be another game-changing arrival at St James’ Park if he did make the move.

It is easy to understand why Howe is so keen to work with Barella. He has the ability to be the number six he is looking for, which will free Bruno Guimaraes to play higher up the pitch.

But Barella can also play as an eight, going box-to-box with his incredible energy and incisive passing. As Jamie Carragher said earlier this year, Barella is an ‘outstanding’ player who ‘can open things up’. That is exactly what Howe wants, as he looks to add more creativity to his athletic midfield.

Howe would love to manage Barella, and we would love to see this dream become a reality. Over to you, Dan Ashworth.