Premier League outfit Newcastle are ‘pushing hard’ to complete a deal with Inter for the services of Italy international Nicolo Barella according to reports in the Telegraph on Wednesday evening.
The English outlet claims that Newcastle, who have just qualified for the Champions League for the first time since 2003-04, have set aside ‘the majority’ of their summer transfer budget for two new midfielders to help with their upcoming European campaign.
The Telegraph have reported that, according to multiple sources, a deal is considered to be achievable and that intensive talks have taken place over the last few days.
The English paper writes that a potential transfer will cost somewhere in the region of €58m (£50m).
If Newcastle were able to pull off a deal for Barella, it has also been claimed that he would immediately become the club’s highest earner.
The 26-year-old has enjoyed a fruitful season for the Nerazzurri, contributing with nine goals and seven assists across all competitions, as Simone Inzaghi’s men secured their place in the Serie A top four as well as going all the way to the Champions League final, before eventually losing out to Manchester City.