Newcastle United are pushing hard to make a transfer breakthrough ahead of the Magpies' return to pre-season training in July.
Yesterday's enquiry - via an intermediary - on AC Milan's Sandro Tonali was a show of the determination from Eddie Howe and his backroom team to get a deal done. As reported here on Chronicle Live, Newcastle are being hit with a wave of inflated quotes on certain targets including Leicester City's James Maddison.
However, as Newcastle chiefs are finding the bumped up transfer valuations are across the board on the circuit with Arsenal's attempts to sign Declan Rice hitting a brickwall after two bids before being told they must shell out £120million for the England stars services. Newcastle are understood to have enquired about a £50million bid for Tonali as they look to secure a defensive midfielder.
READ MORE: Newcastle United enquire about AC Milan star Sandro Tonali after huge claims of £50million bid
The aim is to find a star that can allow Bruno Guimaraes to get further up the field as well as cranking up competition in the midfield area. United's activity has spats of their efforts to sign Nicolo Barella from Milan's neighbours Inter last week.
But like the Barrella enquiry, Newcastle will find that Milan will play hardball on Tonali's transfer fee. The 23-year-old cost £23million from Brescia in 2020 but Milan feel he has flourished since then, stacking up over 100 Serie A games.
The Italian Under-21 international is due to play at the European Championships where his price tag could soar if he has a good tournament. The talk in Italy this morning was that Milan could suggest the bidding starts at closer to £73million.
Tonali is rated as the 14th best midfielder playing in Serie A according to the popular Football Transers website. United will be able to offer Tonali a massive boost on his £75,000 per week wage packet but he is contracted to Milan until 2027 and they are in full control over his fee.
Newcastle were cool on the story that broke in Italy late last night on Tonali but the enquiry is now the main topic of conversation on the football mad country's 24/7 sports news programmes. Tonali loves life in Milan and the San Siro club also have the Champions League to look forward to like the Magpies next season giving United one less card to play in talks.
