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.
The links to Barella, James Maddison and Dominik Szoboszlai highlights Eddie Howe's want for attacking options in the heart of midfield. Inter are likely to demand a high fee for Barella this summer with his stock incredibly high.
READ MORE: Newcastle's pursuit of Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Barella point to key quality Eddie Howe is after
The Toon know they have to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations ahead of a return to the Champions League, but still need plenty of options to cope with a packed fixture schedule. With that in mind, Chronicle Live has taken a look at some possible cheaper alternatives Newcastle could turn to.
Thomas Lemar of Atletico Madrid has a 99.4 per cent similarity to that of Barella according to Macro-Football, and would bring both experience and quality to the current Newcastle squad. The 27-year-old is valued in the region of €22million and boasts a World Cup winners medal.
The French midfielder is able to play on either flank but has also shifted into central midfield under Atletico boss Diego Simeone, making 32 appearances in all competitions, scoring once and notching three assists. The playmaker was linked with a move to Arsenal back in 2019 but opted for a move to Spain.
Liverpool's Curtis Jones also bares a similarity to Barella, with a 98.8 per cent comparison, but a deal between the two clubs would prove hard to do. The two sides are now direct rivals and Jurgen Klopp is has wouldn't want to strengthen a top-four contender.
Tom Cairney of Fulham also has a similarity to Barella at 98.7 per cent, but at 32-years-old the Toon are likely to be fishing in different ponds. The Scotland international enjoyed an impressive campaign with Marco Silva's side and came close to finishing in Europe.
