NEWCASTLE fans have gone wild after entering talks with Inter Milan to buy Nicola Barella in a £50million deal.
The ace is the favourite midfield player of new £115m Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham.
But rival supporters have branded the transfer bid “ridiculous”, with Barella thought to be worth significantly more.
The Italy star, 26, was a key player in Inter’s run to the Champions League final where they were defeated 1-0 by Manchester City.
And Toon are believed to be confident of reaching an agreement which could make the midfielder their highest-paid player.
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Eddie Howe is keen to bolster his midfield options and signing Barella would allow Bruno Guimaraes to play further forward.
England playmaker James Maddison, 26, is also a target but Leicester want £50m-plus and Toon value him at £45m.
Barella is regarded as a world-beater in his position.
And fellow midfield ace Bellingham hailed him as his favourite midfielder while selecting a Dream XI during his Borussia Dortmund days.
The England star said: “I’d probably go with Barella.
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“I just enjoy watching him play, I think he’s unbelievable.”
Barella has been at Inter since 2019 following an initial loan from Cagliari.
The 43-time Italy international has scored 20 goals in 187 games.
And he’s won a Serie A title plus two Italian Cups during his time at the San Siro.
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Barella would certainly bring a winning mentality to St James’ Park, having been named in the Serie A Team of the Year for the past four seasons.
And Toon fans are ecstatic their club are setting their sights high in the transfer market.
One said: “Be a quality signing that.”
Another declared: “Fantastic Magpies.”
One added: “What a signing that will be.”
However, some rival fans laughed off the £50m tag, claiming Barella is one of Inter’s key players and is likely to cost at least double that.
One said: “For £50m Barella will give you an autographed shirt of his.”
Another noted: “He’s worth far more than that and Inter should hold out for a better deal.”
One added: “He’s actually among the 3 untouchables and even if Inter wants to sell it will be a crazy stupid offer, nothing less.”
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