
<p>Newcastle United have entered talks with Inter to sign midfielder Nicolo Barella. Eddie Howe has been desperate to add to his midfield and the Italian is seen as the ideal fit.</p>



<p><a href="https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12902554/nicolo-barella-newcastle-in-50m-talks-for-inter-milan-midfielder" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sky Sports</a> claim that the Magpies are confident of sealing the deal for the 26-year-old. The Italian played a key role in Inter’s run to the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/champions-league-tv-schedule/">Champions League</a> final.</p>



<p>Newcastle United enjoyed a stunning <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/">Premier League</a> campaign last season as they finished fourth, securing Champions League football. Given this newfound seat at football’s top table, optimism is high with regards to attractive players.</p>



<h2>Newcastle United need Champions League quality</h2>



<p>Signing Barella would be a major coup for Newcastle as they aim to compete in Europe.</p>



<p>Given their <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/mar/02/premier-league-newcastle-owners-us-court-case-amnesty" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Saudi-state ownership</a> model, Newcastle are aiming to better their fourth-placed finish. The Italian is a true number six who can also slot in anywhere in midfield and has incredible passing vision.</p>



<p>He operates as a deep-lying midfielder, a position that Newcastle will like to strengthen.</p>



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<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Inter have told <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Chelsea?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Chelsea</a> that midfielder Nicolò Barella is untouchable and not for sale under any circumstances.<br><br>(<a href="https://twitter.com/Corriere?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Corriere</a>)</p>— Chels HQ (@Chels_HQ) <a href="https://twitter.com/Chels_HQ/status/1670066226578567169?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 17, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>The player’s profile also suits the Magpies as he has a relentless work ethic, building out from the back or can shuffle into wide areas if required.</p>



<p>Jonjo Shelvey’s departure left the team short of depth, and this move is now a priority within the Tyneside club.</p>



<h2>Inter will not sell cheaply despite FFP concerns</h2>



<p>Barella won’t come cheap as an untouchable member of Inter’s XI. Having been one of the best midfielders in Europe over the past few seasons, there is little appetite to let him depart.</p>



<p>However, Newcastle will be unfazed by <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/inter-milan-tv-schedule/">Inter’s</a> asking price for the player as they have sizable state-funds at their disposal.</p>



<p>This is a stark contrast to the Nerazzurri’s fiscal situation, which whilst not as concerning as it recent years, remains problematic. Last season they were one of several clubs fined for FFP breaches</p>



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<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Noon – a company which is run privately – is backed to the tune of billions of dollars by investors including…Saudi Arabia&apos;s Public Investment Fund. Which also owns Newcastle and is tasked with investing funds on behalf of the Saudi Arabian government. <a href="https://t.co/obpGD495oX">https://t.co/obpGD495oX</a> <a href="https://t.co/k6ttydG8hL">https://t.co/k6ttydG8hL</a></p>— Colin Millar (@Millar_Colin) <a href="https://twitter.com/Millar_Colin/status/1541483936680910848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 27, 2022</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>The Italian also offers a significant threat going forward, scoring eight times in 35 league games in the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/serie-a-tv-schedule/">Serie A</a> last season.</p>



<p>It will be interesting to see if Barella does decide to push for a move himself, given the substantial wage increase on offer.</p>



<p>Photo credit: <strong>IMAGO / Gribaudi/ImagePhoto</strong></p>


Inter's Nicolo Barella is a primary midfield target for Newcastle United this summer as Eddie Howe prepares for the Champions League

Newcastle United in talks to sign Nicolo Barella - World Soccer Talk

Newcastle United in talks to sign Nicolo Barella

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<p>Italy entered the UEFA Nations League A Group 3 with a productive restart atop its group. Roberto Mancini honorably discharged several veterans after Italy’s loss in the <em>Finalissima</em> to Argentina. In turn, Italy’s manager created the opportunity for budding players. Players that, previously, may not receive an opportunity with the national side.</p>
<p>Serie A possesses an unwanted problem. Italian-bred players do not get ample playing time compared to the 1990s. Back then Serie A truly represented Italian soccer.</p>
<p>As a result, players born outside Italy proliferate in Serie A in the modern day. On the plus side, the top four teams in the division perform well in their respective club matches. However, since Italian bred players do not receive enough conditioning amid competition, their development gets prolonged. The Azzurri receive the short end of the stick.</p>
<p>The UEFA Nations League is the perfect opportunity for Roberto Mancini. The former Manchester City and Inter manager can test new lineups within a shape-shifting, tactical approach.</p>
<p>For example, Wilfried Gnonto shows promise for a bright future. Gnonto’s outstanding speed led to his assist to Lorenzo Pellegrini in the opener against Germany. Already, the 18-year-old Ivorian-Italian from Piedmont lit a fuse among Italians as a potential star. But, Mancini prefers to let the youngster focus on his game.</p>
<blockquote><p><em>“He’s only 18, and he shouldn’t have too much pressure put on him; he needs to be left alone to develop.” </em></p></blockquote>
<p>Gnonto’s stout physiology creates fouls that lead to set pieces since opposing players can easily overpower him with physicality. The Azzurri hope that Gnonto’s development will continue to blossom as he matures into his twenties.</p>
<h5>Towering Strikers</h5>
<p>Though absent from the current Nations League, another budding star is Nicolò Zaniolo. The leading goal scorer for Roma ruptured a ligament in the 2020-21 season, sidelining him for 266 days. However, Zaniolo returned to the grand stage. The 22-year-old forward is tall, standing 6’3, and his physicality mirrors former forward Luca Toni. The Fiorentina striker was a member of the Azzurri’s 2006 World Cup team. Recently, Ballon d’Or alumni and Italian legend <a href="https:\/\/romapress.net/italy-legend-roberto-baggio-thinks-zaniolo-can-turn-things-around/">Roberto Baggio praised Zaniolo</a> as Italy’s future goal-scorer.</p>
<p>Baggio encouraged the Roma star following injuries that mirrored those of Baggio in his career. The <em>Divine Ponytail</em> referred to Zaniolo’s game-winner against Feyenoord when Roma was crowned Europa Conference League Champions.</p>
<blockquote><p><em>“The goal he scored in the Conference League Final can only boost his confidence and let him look to the future with less pressure.”</em></p></blockquote>
<p>Italy has another standout striker who slowly rises above the ranks: Gianluca Scamacca. The 6’5″ forward born in Rome mirrors the likes of Christian Vieri. Vieri also stood tall and bold for the Italians in his career. As a 23-year-old, Scamacca scored 34 goals in his senior club career with primarily Dutch and Italian teams.</p>
<p>The Azzurri seem to be brewing the idea of a future Scamacca/Zaniolo dynamic duo on the front lines. The two forwards stand like skyscrapers against the opposition. With tall defenders on their backs, Scamacca and Zaniolo’s matching statures can prove effective in their ability to receive passes in limited spaces. Additionally, tall forwards typically have a superior back-to-goal game. They can turn-and-shoot in tight areas around the six-yard box.</p>
<h3>Italy and its Nations League restart</h3>
<p>Italy’s 1-1 draw with Germany on Matchday 1 was an impressive feat. Moreover, Italy’s win against Hungary on Matchday 2 in the Nations League displayed Lorenzo Pellegrini’s playmaking.</p>
<p>The Roma captain and his teammate, holding Midfielder Bryan Cristante, have a tangible presence. They show the world what they can do when youngsters with tenacity replace veterans like Jorginho and Emerson.</p>
<p>Lorenzo Pellegrini’s role as a No. 10 proves to be effective in his distribution and creativity on the ball. Moreover, positioning on counterattacks is perfect thus far. He scored <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/2022/06/07/new-look-italy-beat-hungary-to-top-nations-league-group/">the game-winner against Hungary</a>. Nonetheless, 24-year-old Manuel Locatelli from Juventus and 25-year-old Matteo Pessina representing Atalanta are central midfielders coming off the bench. Both Locatelli and Pessina are undoubtedly starting players.</p>
<p>Twenty-five-year-old Nicolò Barella continues to display his prowess as the double 9. Frequently, he plays the false nine as a winger, confusing the opposing team’s defense. However, Barella morphs into his role as a striker with ease. The momentum generated by Barella’s straight shot against Hungary proved to be more effective than the inside foot placement shots easily stopped by goalkeepers. Moreover, Barella’s harmless-looking long balls create dangerous situations against Hungary’s defensive line. Barella’s ability to skin players and cleave through defenders is reminiscent of Roma legend Francesco Totti. The Inter Milan midfielder shows promise for Italy in the next World Cup. Especially since former head coach Marcello Lippi claimed Barella is Italy’s star.</p>
<p>Since Euro 2020, the Azzurri aged quickly in one year. Yet, Roberto Mancini is a man on a mission with a broad range of talented players at his disposal. There’s a fine line between national pride and club success. Perhaps, the FIGC should prioritize their values in next year’s Serie A. Consequently, it helps the expectations of a fifth World Cup.</p>
<p><em>PHOTO:&nbsp;Marco Luzzani/Getty Images</em></p>


The Italians won Euro 2020, then missed out on the World Cup. Italy now sees the UEFA Nations League as a chance to get players experience.

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Newcastle United in talks to sign Nicolo Barella

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Italy using the UEFA Nations League as a chance for a restart