- Newcastle United up interest in Aleksandar Stankovic
- Reports come amid Sandro Tonali speculation
- Why Stankovic could be perfect for Newcastle
Newcastle United have reportedly intensified their interest in Inter Milan midfielder Aleksander Stankovic and could make a move for the Serbian in the near future, according to reports.
Stankovic also has an offer on the table from Brentford but is not thought to be exploring that option at this stage. Newcastle have been monitoring the player and now look set to try their luck this summer.
The Club Brugge star has also been heavily linked with Serie A giants Inter Milan. The Italian side does have the added bonus of Champions League football over the Magpies, who have no Europe next year.
The interest comes amid a mass of speculation around the future of Sandro Tonali. The Italian is one of those who has chances to leave the club this summer, with a summer rebuild expected on Tyneside.
Newcastle interest in Stankovic grows
Stankovic is thought to be available for a fee of around £40m this summer. The Magpies see that fee as rather modest, especially given that they will likely have the Sandro Tonali money in the bank when they engage in negotiations.
Stankovic is a name that has been circulated within the club for some time now and is among those thought to be on the shortlist as a direct replacement for Tonali.
Newcastle’s interest in Lamine Camara has also ramped up in recent weeks, according to reports. The Magpies will almost certainly not sign more than one first-team player to fill the hole left by Tonali and may have to make a decision should both deals progress.
Inter Milan, the frontrunners
If reports are to be believed, the Magpies’ bid to sign Stankovic may turn out to be a fruitless one.
The Serbian is thought to favour a move back to Inter Milan, where he spent his academy days. Inter have a buyback clause in Stankovic’s contract which they are ready to activate once a deal is agreed between the player and club.
The feeling has always been that the midfielder will return to Serie A and Inter Milan, but Newcastle could put a spanner in the works if they push hard for his signature.
What Stankovic would bring
Whilst operating as a defensive midfielder, it is the creative part of the game that has garnered interest from across Europe this season.
Stankovic has managed a very respectable tally of 14 goals and assists whilst occupying the deepest of Club Brugge’s central three.
The Serbian also carries the athleticism and physical attributes which lend him well to replacing Tonali but is perhaps not quite as suited to the physical nature of Premier League football as his Italian counterpart.
Comparing the current frontrunners, Camara would appear the more suited to what the Magpies will be looking for. But it is not yet truly understood who the Magpies may favour if their Italian Maestro leaves.
