Davide Frattesi has emerged as a late summer target for Newcastle Unitedplaceholder image
Davide Frattesi has emerged as a late summer target for Newcastle United | AFP via Getty Images
Newcastle United could make a late move for a player that scored in last season’s Champions League semi-final
The Magpies are preparing to ascend on yet another European adventure after securing Champions League qualification for just the third time in the last 25 years.
Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United team enjoyed a dream season last time out after securing major silverware while also remaining consistent in the Premier League to secure a commendable fifth place finish. But in order to succeed again this term, the St James’ Park club must learn the lessons from their last Champions League campaign two years ago to ensure they have enough depth to juggle the demands of European football with yet another testing campaign, and not get crushed by an avalanche of injuries.
As it stands, the club have debatably one of the best midfield trios in the Premier League with Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton all at the club, and they’ve added further quality to that in Jacob Ramsey after he replaced the outgoing Sean Longstaff. However, an early injury to Joelinton and a knock to Sandro Tonali during the Liverpool game, highlighted just how quickly injures can pile up and how the club need quality depth, particularly if they are to go far in the Champions League with Barcelona, PSG and Benfica among others all on the horizon.
Newcastle United plot move for Davide Frattesi
Newcastle United have made an offer for Inter Milan midfielder Davide Frattesi, according to reports from Sky Italy journalist Gianluca Di Marzio.It’s claimed the Magpies have tabled a loan offer with an obligation to buy to secure the Italy international permanently next summer. It’s also understood that talks are currently ongoing between the two clubs. Inter at this stage, are expected to turn down this initial proposal. The 2024 Serie A champions are instead thought to be seeking a permanent solution with Frattesi only leaving if their valuation of £34m is met this summer.
Davide Frattesi could be a genius signing for Newcastle United
The Magpies are expected to remain busy ahead of Monday’s deadline, they’ve recently smashed their club-record fee to sign German Nick Woltemade from VfB Stuttgart and are expected to try and add one of either Yoane Wissa of Brentford or Jorgen Strand Larsen of Wolves to help the team further in case Alexander Isak departs to Liverpool. Isak’s future at this stage is up in the air. It’s widely reported by Mail Sport’s Craig Hope that a new offer will come in from Liverpool before deadline day. But whether they can meet Newcastle’s £150m valuation or meet somewhere in the middle remains to be seen.
However, the midfield depth remains something the Magpies could look to strengthen and in Davide Frattesi, they’d potentially be getting their hands on a top class midfielder for a very reasonable price at £34m. Frattesi is a 29-time Italian international and somebody that’s known for his creative qualities, excellent ball control and tireless workrate to press defence and create chances for his teammates. For the Football Manager player’s reading this, he’s described as playing the Mezzala role while in simpler terms he’s a box-to-box midfielder with a good eye for goal.
The 25-year-old started out at Sassuolo and enjoyed loan spells at the likes of Ascoli, Empoli and Monza before developing into a first team regular. He made a total of 76 appearances for The Black and Greens , contributing 11 goals and four assists. He’s played the last two seasons at Inter after joining on an initial loan deal and was a popular player for Simone Inzaghi before his exit. Overall, he’s made 89 appearances, scoring 15 and contributing nine assists. He’s won one Serie A title, the Supercoppa Italiana and reached the final of the Champions League last year.
His experience and knowledge of that particular competition could prove imperative. He’s played 20 Champions League matches in total and notably scored crucial goals against both Bayern Munich and Barcelona in the quarter-final and semi-final of last year’s competition.
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