Barcelona and their sporting director Deco have made £120,000-per-week Newcastle United star a top transfer target, according to a recent report.
Newcastle chasing attacking reinforcements this summer
The Magpies still have plenty to play for in what has been a tremendous campaign, as they ended their long wait to lift a trophy. Eddie Howe’s side are still firmly in the race to secure a place in next season’s Champions League, and the hope will be that securing that will help them when it comes to transfers this summer.
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Newcastle are hoping to strengthen in the transfer market this summer.
ByAngus Sinclair
The transfer window doesn’t open until the beginning of June, but already, Newcastle are lining up potential arrivals. According to a recent report, Newcastle are interested in a move to sign Alexis Saelemaekers from Italian giants AC Milan. The midfielder has been sent out on loan to AS Roma this season, and on his return at the end of the campaign, he could be allowed to leave, with Milan looking to get around £17 million for his services. His arrival would strengthen a midfield that already has plenty of exciting options.
As well as looking at ways to improve their midfield, Newcastle are also looking at improving their forward line, especially as Alexander Isak continues to be linked with a move away from St James’ Park.
According to L’Equipe, Newcastle have made Emanuel Emegha a transfer target, as the forward has been mightily impressive for Strasbourg. The striker is said to be open to a move to England and could be seen as a potential replacement for Isak, should he depart.
Barcelona now choose £120k-p/w Newcastle star to replace De Jong
However, signing a player like Saelemaekers may become more of a priority for the Magpies, as according to a report from Spain, Barcelona now want to sign Sandro Tonali from Newcastle as a replacement for Frenkie De Jong.
The report states that Deco is now working on a replacement for De Jong, as while the Dutchman is under contract until the summer of 2026, talks over a new deal are not advancing.
Therefore, he could be moved on by the Spanish giants, and they have identified Tonali as the perfect replacement. It claims that Barça see the Newcastle midfielder as someone who can immediately fit into their system and would be perfect to cover De Jong.
Tonali, who earns £120,000 a week at St James’ Park, has been on Barça’s radar for a while, even before he joined the Magpies. His performances in England for Newcastle have now confirmed to the Spanish giants how good he really is.
Apps
31
Starts
23
Goals
3
xG
3.53
Shots per game
0.9
Assists
2
xAG
1.35
Big chances created
2
Key passes
0.4
Tackles per game
1.5
Interceptions per game
0.9
Barça would place Tonali as essential to their midfield plans, but the fact he is under contract until 2028 and is expected to cost a lot of money are two stumbling blocks for Barcelona. However, they are confident that if De Jong doesn’t sign a new contract, it will give them an opportunity to sign Tonali, but this transfer hinges on what happens to the future of De Jong.