The Telegraph have revealed that Newcastle United are now pushing hard to complete a deal to sign Inter Milan midfielder Nicolo Barella, who has been linked with a move to Tottenham over recent months.

Barella has been one of the stand-out midfielders in Serie A for the past few years and has also been one of the pillars of the Italian national team under Roberto Mancini.

(Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)

The 26-year-old was a key cog in Inter’s midfield this season as the club won both domestic cup competitions in Italy and reached the final of the Champions League.

CalcioMercatoWeb.it reported back in March that Tottenham were eyeing a move for Barella, with the publication claiming at the time that the player was valued at around €60m-€70m (£52.5m-£61.3m).

Newcastle looking to beat Spurs to Nicolo Barella

If The Telegraph’s latest update is to be believed, Newcastle are now pushing ahead with a move for the midfielder and are hoping to complete a deal worth around £50m,

The publication asserts that the Magpies have held ‘intensive talks’ with Inter over the last few days and are of the belief that a deal to bring Barella to St James’ Park is attainable. 

Spurs Web Opinion

Barella appeared to be an Antonio Conte target and our list of priorities would have likely changed since the Italian’s departure and Postecoglou’s arrival.

One would hope that spending big on Barella would restrict Newcastle’s ability to pay big money for James Maddison, thus putting Spurs in the driving seat for the Leicester star.

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