Newcastle United scouts were at the San Siro to watch AC Milan vs Inter Milan on Wednesday night, as Toon officials scour the globe for reinforcements ahead of next season.
It has been reported that Newcastle scouts were there to watch Fikayo Tomori in action, who was on the losing side.
His team were beaten 2-0 by Inter Milan, thanks to goals from two former Premier League players – Edin Dzeko and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
Inter now have one foot in the Champions League final, while Newcastle have their eye on one of their players.
Newcastle interested in Inter Milan’s Nicolo Barella
While Newcastle have been credited with watching Tomori on Wednesday night, a new report from Italy claims that Eddie Howe’s side are interested in Inter Milan midfielder Nicolo Barella.
That is according to Inter Live, who claim that the Magpies, Liverpool and Chelsea are all keen to sign the 26-year-old. They claim that all three clubs are ready to make a move for the Italy international.
The report states that he will cost at least £69.5million, which would make him a club record signing for Newcastle. That honour currently belongs to Alexander Isak, who arrived at St James’ Park last summer.
He is someone who deserves to be in the Champions League, and Newcastle are looking to sign players of similar calibre ahead of next season – when Howe’s side could be competing in Europe’s elite competition.
Steven Gerrard thinks Barella can become ‘world class’
Barella certainly falls into that category, and could actually head into the summer transfer window as a Champions League winner. Inter are 90 minutes away from the final, where they will play Real Madrid or Manchester City if they advance in next week’s second leg against AC.
The Euro 2020 winner is shining on the biggest stage, and is a player who would fit in brilliantly at St James’ Park.
Newcastle are looking to sign a midfielder ahead of next season, and Barella is a player who can do it all. His reading of the game is impeccable, while he boasts a glorious passing range. He has an incredible engine, while he is also physical despite only being 5ft 9in.
He has drawn comparisons to Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard, who was full of praise for Barella earlier this year. After Italy played England back in March, Gerrard admitted that Barella can become a ‘world class’ player in the coming years.
That is incredibly high praise from one of English football’s greatest ever midfielders, and exactly why he would be an incredible signing for Newcastle United.
But it is only a tentative rumour at this stage, and the Italian media are hardly known for being the most reliable…
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