Newcastle United made waves earlier this month with a reported move for Inter Milan dynamo Nicolo Barella, fresh from a Champions League final defeat to Manchester City. The Italian midfielder has been a mainstay at the Serie A side since joining the club from Cagliari in 2020.
In that time, the box-to-box midfielder has become one of the best schemers in Europe and played an influential part in Italy's European Championship winning side in 2021. A Serie A and two time Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana winner - the 26-year-old would bring undoubted quality and experience to a Magpies side set on reaching lofty new heights.
A proposed move for Sandro Tonali is expected to be completed later this month, but should not be viewed as direct alternative. The AC Milan midfielder plays in a deeper role than Barella, who also has a better attacking output.
