Newcastle United could be making a move for Federico Chiesa this summer, we have an update from La Repubblica.
The Italian newspaper provide it as part of their live blog covering the Italian side of things during the transfer window, and it’s the one they used to kick it all off on Tuesday.
It’s all fairly straightforward, and yet it’s great news for Newcastle fans who are hoping to see the Juventus forward playing under Eddie Howe.
They claim that ‘new contacts’ have taken place with the Serie A giants for the Italy international, who is ‘ready to start the new season’ in a black and white shirt, with them specifying they mean the Magpies and not the Italians.
Newcastle are ‘targeting’ Chiesa after the Sandro Tonali deal, which has been a line used multiple times over the past few weeks, for whom Juventus ‘are asking €55-60m’.
That’s a similar number to what has been reported before, although it’s added that the Turin based club are now ‘hoping for an official move’ from Newcastle in order to ‘start the negotiation’ and get a deal over the line for a player who has struggled to find his real form under Max Allegri in his 3-5-2 formation.
It is believed the project in place at Newcastle is attractive for the Leicester star – as well as the opportunity to play under Howe.
Football Insider revealed on Friday (7 July) that the Magpies and manager Eddie Howe are pushing to complete a deal for the 25-year-old this summer.
A well-placed source has revealed Barnes‘ age and extensive top-flight experience is behind Howe’s willingness to strike a deal.
Sources say the prospect of playing regular Champions League football is also a “huge draw” for the 25-year-old – who has had a taste of European action with the Foxes.
Sources also told Football Insider on Saturday (8 July) that Newcastle are ready to sell Allan Saint-Maximin to fund a deal and clear room in the squad for the Englishman’s arrival.
He managed a healthy return of 13 goals and three assists in 40 games across all competitions last term – despite Leicester’s relegation to the Championship.
