- Crystal Palace eye Nico Barella
- The Eagles could smash their transfer record
- Newcastle also keen
Crystal Palace are reportedly looking to smash the club’s transfer record to sign Inter Milan midfielder Nico Barella this summer. The Italian would be one of the biggest signings in the Eagles’ history and a massive statement of intent.
Steve Parish’s transfer chiefs will be building a squad for a new manager once Oliver Glasner departs. The Austrian coach is leaving when his contract expires in June.
Glasner has complained about the club’s vision in the latter stages of his reign at Selhurst Park. He might be surprised to see Barella walk through the door if the South Londoners manage to pull off an audacious move for the Italy international.
Barella Battle
Barella has long been regarded as one of the best ball-playing midfielders in European football. He has starred for Inter, including runs to two Champions League finals.
According to Spanish outlet Fichajes.net, Palace are planning to present an initial offer of €70 million (£60m) to secure his signature. They are “aware that it will need to make a supreme effort to entice a player accustomed to competing for important titles every season.”
Newcastle United are also interested and are thought to be weighing up a £40m offer. The Magpies might be in the market for a new midfielder due to uncertainty over the futures of Manchester United-linked Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali.
The report should be taken with a grain of salt, given the source and doubts about the club’s ability to afford such a deal. If Barella were to arrive for such a jaw-dropping fee, it would gazzump Jorgen Strand Larsen’s club-record £48m transfer.
Silly Season
The likelihood of Barella arriving at Palace, and he’d likely be looking to join a club at the top of European football. He’s still yet to reach his thirties and still has three years on his contract at the San Siro.
Barella hasn’t been a regular starter under Christian Chivu this season. He’s appeared 36 times across competitions, registering one goal and eight assists.
The Inter star hasn’t been without criticism this season. Italy boss Gennaro Gattuso recently defended him, saying:
“Over the years he’s shown he’s an important player, and when he performs below his level, he gets heavily criticised. We’re doing what we have to do with great calm – everyone knows what’s at stake. We must prepare without putting too much pressure on the players.”
Daichi Kamada is set to leave Palace and could join Turkish Super Lig club Besiktas. That does pave the way for a midfielder to arrive at Selhurst Park as his replacement, but it would be astonishing if that man is Barella.
