Newcastle considering Nicolo Barella alternatives amid transfer fee gap and competition

Liverpool are also credited with interest in the Italy midfielder

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Newcastle United are currently £30 million off Internazionale's valuation of Nicolo Barella, as Eddie Howe seeks to make a midfielder their main signing for this summer. That may see the Saudi-owned club turn to AC Milan's Sandro Tonali, although negotiations are ongoing over Barella.

Inter Milan ended up paying Cagliari close to £40m all in for Barella and want to make a profit as they face pressure to raise money.

That has meant an asking price of close to £80m but Newcastle do not want to go above £50m given the Italian's club situation.

Liverpool have been similarly interested in Barella as they feel his energy fits with exactly what they want from a second midfielder to complement Alexis Mac Allister. The Anfield club nevertheless believe the price is currently far too high, with Nice's Khephren Thuram offering a more affordable option.

Newcastle are themselves willing to look elsewhere with both Tonali and Chelsea's Conor Gallagher names they have considered.

The St James Park club also have long-standing interest in James Maddison and sounded out Leicester City over whether he would be buyable for £45m, which was similar to what they have been willing to put forward for Barella.

Leicester currently want almost double that, though, while the player himself is understood to prefer a move south for family reasons. That is why Tottenham Hotspur are now seen as more likelier to sign Maddison, although they similarly remain some way off as regards price.