Newcastle United

Newcastle United

Premier League • England

Next phase of Newcastle plan underway with Inter Milan forward lined up and ‘important’ bid readied

Lautaro Martinez and Joaquin Correa

Newcastle United chiefs are preparing for a second January transfer window under their rich owners and could spend big money on an Inter Milan star, according to a report.

The Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund bought Newcastle from Mike Ashley in October last year. And they immediately revealed plans to push the club up the Premier League table and eventually back into European competitions, such as the Champions League.

The Magpies have since brought in Eddie Howe as manager and signed several impressive players. These include Kieran Trippier, Bruno Guimaraes, Alexander Isak and Sven Botman.

Trippier and Guimaraes arrived during the 2021 January window. They demonstrated the quality of players Newcastle fans could expect at St James’ Park.

Around £95million was spent in the summer to land Isak and Botman, from Real Sociedad and Lille respectively.

Newcastle officials hope these kind of signings will help Howe to break the top 10 and then be able to challenge the top six at some point in the future.

The strategy seems to be working. Last season, Newcastle finished 11th, just two points off the top half.

This season though they will surely crack that initial aim. They currently sit sixth after winning three and drawing six of their opening 10 games. They are joined by the top three of Arsenal, Man City and Tottenham in only losing once this term.

Newcastle may head to Italy in striker hunt

However, to really catch up with these teams Newcastle must have several successful transfer windows. And with this in mind, the Magpies are planning what to do in January. It is the next phase of their project, largely funded by the PIF.

According to Calciomercato, they could go to Italy for another striker signing. Joaquin Correa could leave Inter and next year and Newcastle are supposedly ready to snap him up.

Inter spent €31m to sign Correa from Serie A rivals Lazio last summer. He hasn’t had the desired impact with the Nerazzurri, netting just eight goals in 48 matches.

Correa’s time at Inter has been hampered by injuries, though. They are willing to let him go for less than €31m (currently £27m) in January, which is where Newcastle come in.

Correa wouldn’t be the typical Newcastle signing under the PIF given the fact he is not an U23 player with bags of potential.

However, the attacker has plenty of experience on the big stage. He has made 18 appearances for the Argentina national team and has regularly featured in the Champions League.

Due to this, he could be the perfect forward for Isak to play alongside. Correa could pass on his knowledge to the younger striker.

The report claims Newcastle are readying an ‘important’ proposal to snare Correa from Inter. However, it doesn’t reveal how much this is worth.

Clearly, Magpies coaches feel they could get the best out of the player, should he manage to stay fit.

Correa began the season well at Inter, scoring Serie A goals against Spezia and Cremonese in his first four matches. He also chipped in with assists in the Champions League and in the Milan derby.

But the goal contributions have dried up for him since then. As a result, Newcastle could end up getting a player low in confidence if they signed Correa.

There are probably better striker options out there for Newcastle. They are reportedly keeping tabs on Goncalo Ramos’ situation at Benfica, though he is also a target for Man Utd and PSG.

Meanwhile, a Chelsea winger has reportedly said ‘yes’ to a Newcastle move.