The quest for a ’number 6’ is on its way in Newcastle. The Magpies actually have another player in mind, as Leicester’s James Maddison is their main target, and he is an offensive-minded central midfielder. With Foxes looking out for 60 million pounds (even thou his contract is up next season), Newcastle decided to turn to other targets, and that’s where this ’number 6’ transfer tactic fits in. Coach Eddie Howe actually likes his own Bruno Guimaraes and wants to move him higher on the pitch, but he needs a proper ’working horse’ in order to achieve that. So, they are looking for various midfielders who can play as number 6, and so far, they made bids for two players from the rival clubs – Nicolo Barella and Sandro Tonali.🇮🇹 Sandro Tonali• 23 years old• 5 ft 11 tall • Position DM/CM• 10 assists in 48 games last season• WhoScored strengths: Key passes, set-pieces, tackling/blocking, long balls#NUFC pic.twitter.com/UutWaLL8bl— ToonArmy (@toonarmy_com) June 21, 2023 They both play in Milan, but one is with Inter and the other with AC Milan. Newcastle targeted Barella first, but their 60 million bid was rebuffed quickly, so they moved on to what they thought was cheaper Tonali. After surprisingly getting rid of their sporting duo Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara, new Rossoneri owners are now heading in a new direction, and nobody knows what this direction is. And Newcastle will test the waters with a bid for a young, perspective Italian international. If the AC Milan brass decides to accept the 50 million (or a bit more) offer, they will put a chill in their supporter’s hearts because players like Tonali should be the cornerstone of a new Milan. As for Barella, Inter’s hardcore fans already announced that they see this player as ’untouchable’. They really mean business: Newcastle offer 60 million for BarellaOn the other hand, the bids for Barella and Tonali are genuine, but Newcastle’s transfer sense is questioned here. From a purely footballing sense, they would be great signings (or, to be precise, any one of those two), but would they come to England and Newcastle? We are talking about Italian footballers, and currently, only 5 of them are in the Premier League, and none could be named a ’top signing’ (Jorginho, Degnand Gnonto, Emerson Palmieri, Angelo Ogbonna, Gianluca Scamacca). The Italians are very fond of their lifestyle, and nothing can be compared to their homeland, not to mention that Tonali came from Bresa but is Milan’s supporter. Basically, the Magpies were hoping that Inter, known for its financial troubles, would sell Barella in order to gain cash, while the highly increased weekly wage would be a ’bate’ for Tonali, but it seems that nothing will come of it. Both players are also reportedly happy to stay in Milan, so it seems that only some extraordinary circumstances will move those players to England. Maddison remains the most realistic target by now.##NAJAVA_MECA_7331236##
