Newcastle launch bid for Inter Milan star? - Big claims from Italy on Sunday morning

Newcastle United’s squad depth in 2025 is a mix between having an abundance of talent in some positions, while other areas are severely lacking.

Take the centre of defence, for example, currently bursting with talent: Dan Burn, Fabian Schar, Sven Botman and Malick Thiaw could all feasibly start against Liverpool if fully fit.

But in the eyes of Eddie Howe, we’re lacking numbers in midfield. We have Joelinton, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes, with Jacob Ramsey set to sign, but Joe Willock is injured and Sean Longstaff has been sold, while Lewis Miley has been linked with a loan move this weekend.

There are options when everyone is fit, but we must learn from two seasons ago as reports on the continent suggest we're looking in Serie A (again) for another Italian...

Newcastle in for Frattesi?

According to Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport, Newcastle are showing very strong interest in Inter Milan and Italian national Davide Frattesi.

Frattesi only joined Inter on a permanent transfer last year, and recorded 7 goals in 47 appearances across all competitions as they came 2nd in Serie A and reached the final of the Champions League.

It's claimed an opening bid from Tyneside has been rejected by the Italian giants, although the Italian paper is “not excluding” a fresh attempt from us to sign the 25-year-old.

Frattesi made headlines with his game winning goal in their epic UCL semi-final win over Barcelona, but has recently undergone abdominal surgery and thus has been absent for a lot of pre-season.

That isn't ideal, but it's an intriguing link given his box-to-box ability down that right side, European experience, goal threat and the fact he's represented by the same agent as Italian teammate Sandro Tonali.

What does a new midfielder mean for Miley and Willock?

Eddie Howe made it clear after we sold Sean Longstaff that he still wanted six midfield players available to him for the season ahead.

With the big three, plus new signing Jacob Ramsey, there’s still two spots to fill. Naturally, you would assume Joe Willock and Lewis Miley would fill these spots.

However, rumours of a potential loan move to the Championship for Miley, and Willock again being sidelined due to injury, means we need a reliable rotational option sooner rather than later.

It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Miley sent away for the season to build up first team minutes, and Willock sold in either January or next summer, to allow us both the funds and squad space to accommodate a new addition in midfield like Frattesi.