It feels as though the clocks have been turned back 30 years and Italy’s top flight is once again the go-to place for top talent. Well… for the Newcastle United recruitment team anyway. Twice in the space of a week Toon fans have been stunned by sensational speculation regarding two of Serie A’s biggest stars.
Tuesday saw the first concrete link to AC Milan general Sandro Tonali, while last week Inter Milan’s Nicolo Barella was the man of the moment. Two of Italy, nay world football’s, biggest names, now suddenly being linked with groundbreaking moves to the north east of England.
Leicester City’s Hamza Choudhury must be sick of constantly being mentioned in relation to the seismic shift in Newcastle’s transfer ambition but it is, again, worth remembering that a few short years ago the Magpies didn’t have the required funds to get the 25-year-old midfielder brought in on loan.
READ MORE: Newcastle have found 'bright' stadium expansion ally who has an 'incredibly sharp eye for FFP'
Now, this new-look Newcastle, with their new-found wealth and sudden status, are targeting Europe’s best and brightest. Though moves of such significance won’t be easy to pull off.
In fact, if Newcastle were hoping for new additions through the door quickly, they have not done themselves any favours by picking, arguably, the two trickiest Serie A deals to pull off. Take Tonali for starters; a 14-cap Italy international, captain of the Azzurrini in this month’s U21 European Championship, a boyhood AC Milan fan and one of the most sought-after talents in the world.
Newcastle won't be the only suitors for the 23-year-old's signature this summer, with Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United all previously linked. Tonali is also locked into his San Siro deal until 2027.
When discussing a potential new deal last year, the AC Milan star said: "I am so attached to these colours that I know that my extension will never be a problem, it is right that the club thinks first of my expiring teammates than of me: I already have an agreement for others four years. I want it to be the least of my thoughts.“
Barella too will not come easy - or cheap. Again, an Italy regular, recent Champions League final starter and a boyhood Inter Milan. There is also the small matter of Inter's diehard 'ultras' making it clear, in no uncertain terms, that the 'untouchable' midfielder must not be moved on this summer.
Of course, there are unquestionable perks for Tonali and Barella leaving their beloved clubs behind for pastures new in black and white. Champions League football, a crack at the greatest league in the world, getting in at a very early stage of a very promising and exciting journey, a bulkier pay packet. The list could go on.
Chronicle Live understands Newcastle’s moves for Tonali and Barella so far have been to test the water and enquire as to whether there would be interest on behalf of both the selling clubs and the players involved. Given this summer’s budget, and the fact both men combined would likely cost north of £150m, it will likely be one or the other - or neither.
Even if Newcastle don’t land either of the Italian duo, Eddie Howe and his recruitment team are showing just how ambitious the recruitment drive will be this summer. Maybe the Newcastle boss wasn’t playing games when he told the world ‘elite’ signings would be on their way to St James’ Park before the end of August.
