Newcastle ‘ready’ to meet £31m price tag for Serie A star, as Eddie Howe prepares for Champions League
Newcastle are ‘ready’ to make a summer bid for highly-rated Inter Milan defensive midfielder Marcelo Brozovic, according to reports.
It’s no secret that manager Eddie Howe wants to bolster his squad ahead of next season. Now, the Magpies are tipped to meet the 30-year-old’s price tag.
Indeed, with Newcastle set to qualify for the Champions League, they need players with experience at the highest level. Brozovic certainly has that in abundance, so could potentially be an excellent addition.
Howe’s team climbed to third place in the Premier League table on Sunday, after thrashing top-four rivals Tottenham 6-1 at St. James’ Park.
It is believed the manager is already planning ahead for Champions League football next term. In fact, Howe admitted in a recent interview that he wanted to bring in several ‘elite’ players.
One of the key areas the coach wants to improve is his midfield. Despite the fantastic performances of Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton, Sean Longstaff and others this term, Howe sees a new centre-midfielder as one of his summer priorities.
Declan Rice has been linked with Newcastle recently, but Arsenal are still thought to be favourites to sign him. With that in mind, a move for Brozovic could be more realistic.
Newcastle ‘ready’ to pay up for Brozovic
Since signing for Inter in 2016, the Brozovic has made 319 appearances. In the process, he has netted 30 times, as well as making 38 assists.
The experienced midfielder has played a key role in the Italian clubs success, too, helping them to lift one league title, a Coppa Italia and two Italian Super Cups.
In addition, Brozovic has enjoyed success with the Croatia national team – playing a key role when they reached the World Cup final in 2018, and secured a third-place finish last year.
A versatile player, he has the ability to play as a defensive midfielder or in more of a box-to-box role. So, he could provide cover in multiple areas for Howe next season.
Now, according to CalcioMercatoWeb, Newcastle are ‘ready’ to meet Inter’s asking price of £31m to secure Brozovic’s signature.
Brozovic would also offer Newcastle plenty of Champions League experience, having made 37 appearances in the competition.
The playmaker has a contract until June 2026, but Inter are looking to generate funds this summer to improve their financial situation.
Therefore, if Newcastle do meet his £31m price tag, they have a great chance of signing him in the coming months.
