Back when the English media reported that Newcastle United were close to signing Nicolo Barella from Inter Milan on a £50m deal, it seemed like the agreement was very close to going through.
The Italian press, however, made sure to slow things down. They first claimed there was no bid on the table, and yesterday, said the Nerazzurri would sell for no less than €80m.
Now it turns out that Newcastle may have to be prepared to spend even more, because a story from Sport Mediaset (via FC Inter News) discourages that pursuit a little.
It’s claimed that the Magpies’ first offer worth €60m, which arrived through an intermediary, ’caused a giggle’ at Inter Milan’s headquarters, as they want a lot more for the transfer.
The report says the minimum price for Barella’s transfer this summer is of ‘at least €100m’. In other words, he’s considered ‘virtually non-transferable’.
That’s a quite strong message from the Nerazzurri, and it makes us wonder whether the English media were ever right about his transfer to St. James’ Park being even close.
Either way, we shall see how this situation develops now.
