Inter Milan have slapped a huge price tag on Nicolo Barella in the aftermath of reported interest from Newcastle United.
The Italy international is happy at Inter Milan with the San Siro club denying that they'd received any offer for the midfielder this week. Since then the Serie A side have briefed media in Italy that they have no intention of selling Barella for anywhere close to the £50million price that Newcastle were understood to have enquired about through an intermediary.
But since then Inter have stated that even if they were to consider Barella's sale the bidding would have to start at £85.3million. The Inter news site Fcinternews say the paltry suggestion of £50million caused "uproar" at the Serie A club's training ground.
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However, by the same token, every player has a price and every club has a tipping point with the emergence of any type of price at all showing Inter would never dismiss a sale out of hand. What is clear is Newcastle's hunt for a midfielder who can sit back in the number 6 role definitely on.
Eddie Howe's plan is to allow Bruno Guimaraes to push further up the pitch in a more attacking role. Any midfield signing would certainly beef up competition in the engine room with Bruno, Joe Willock, Joelinton and Sean Longstaff already vying for positions.
Barella was a huge part of the Italy side that won Euro 2020 and is a key factor in Inter's run to the Champions League final. The player is happy in Italy and has pledged his future to the club in recent times with three years left on his current deal, leaving Inter in a strong position.
