What happened: Fresh off agreeing a record €116m sale of Sandro Tonali to Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United are reportedly circling Italy again for a midfield replacement. The two names in frame are Inter's Davide Frattesi and Fiorentina's Nicolò Fagioli, with the windfall from the Tonali deal giving Newcastle the funds to move. Tonali, signed from AC Milan for north of €60m three years ago, leaves for roughly double that figure.
Why it matters: Losing Tonali guts the engine room, so Newcastle need a like-for-like rebuild rather than a luxury add. Frattesi is seen as surplus at Inter and has already been linked with Nottingham Forest, while Fagioli offers a more creative profile out of the Juventus academy. The move continues Newcastle's pattern of shopping in Serie A, the same market that produced the Tonali deal now heading to Tottenham.
By the numbers: Frattesi, 26, is under contract at Inter until June 2028, with the Nerazzurri said to want around €30m. Fagioli, 25, joined Fiorentina from Juventus for a total €16m plus add-ons in February 2025 and has 100 Serie A appearances with six goals and 11 assists. Tonali's €116m fee roughly doubles the €60m-plus Newcastle paid AC Milan three years ago.
What to watch: Watch whether Newcastle firm up a bid for Frattesi first, given Nottingham Forest's competing interest, or pivot to Fagioli as the more creative option. A concrete opening offer would signal which profile they prioritize.