Newcastle take first steps in bid to sign top-class player wanted by Chelsea

Newcastle United will rival the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool for a highly-rated Serie A star, according to reports in Italy.

The Magpies can target top-class players thanks to their £305million takeover earlier this month. Manager Steve Bruce was the first casualty of the new ownership. They are hoping to make Paulo Fonseca his replacement.

Newcastle are looking to emulate Manchester City by breaking into the the Premier League’s elite. To do that they will need to improve the current crop of players.

In defence, German powerhouse Niklas Sule could be signed from Bayern Munich. Newcastle officials have reportedly made the centre-back a ‘top target’. His current contract impasse with Bayern boosts their hopes of a deal.

In attack, the Tyneside outfit have joined the race for Dominic Calvert-Lewin. However, they will have to fend off Arsenal for the England international’s services.

Improving the midfield is just as important and reports coming out of Italy name a new target. Tuttosport (via Sport Witness) write that Inter Milan star Marcelo Brozovic is being eyed up.

The Croatian made 42 appearances last season as Inter ended their wait for a Serie A title. He is a battle-hardened midfielder who is also versatile – he can operate defensively or as a central attacking midfielder.

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Brozovic’s contract wrangle with Inter makes a transfer likely. He wants €6.5m per year to sign an extension, but the Italian giants are only offering €5m. Tuttosport claim that an agreement is ‘a long way off’ as things stand.

Newcastle are aware of the struggles and have made their move. The Magpies have reportedly enquired over Brozovic’s availability in January.

The winter window will be Inter’s last chance to make any money on the 28-year-old as his current terms expire in June of next year.

Unfortunately for Newcastle they are not alone in the transfer race as reports on October 14 claimed that Chelsea were preparing to offer Brozovic a big-money package.

Liverpool, meanwhile, are keeping tabs on the situation and could move next summer if he becomes a free agent.

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Newcastle severance package revealed

The Daily Mail have reported on the terms of Steve Bruce’s exit from St James’ Park. A club statement on Wednesday morning confirmed the 60-year-old had left by mutual consent.

He supposedly received a huge £8m pay-out from the club, which was agreed during Mike Ashley’s time as owner.

New chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan was in attendance for Bruce’s last game in charge, which was a 3-2 defeat to Spurs. He was joined by businesswoman Amanda Staveley, who was integral to the deal’s success.

The Daily Mail state that Staveley made Al-Rumayyan aware of anti-Bruce chants going around St James’ Park.

This ‘accelerated’ Bruce’s departure from the club. He has since announced that retirement from football could be his next step following a troublesome few years.

READ MORE: ‘Forever grateful’ – Saint-Maximin posts touching tribute to Steve Bruce