Newcastle transfer news: Chelsea and Liverpool battle Eddie Howe for £60m Sandro Tonali replacement

In today's Newcastle transfer news - Chelsea and Liverpool have both entered the race with Eddie Howe to sign his £60m Sandro Tonali replacement...
SS Lazio v FC Internazionale - Serie A TIM
SS Lazio v FC Internazionale - Serie A TIM / Giuseppe Bellini/GettyImages
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As much as Eddie Howe likes to make out that he's only interested in the Premier League, I don't think anybody can deny the English boss has one eye on the January transfer window too. Like no other season, Newcastle have a lot of pressure to invest in the squad given their injury crisis, which is why it's no surprise to see the Newcastle transfer news is coming in heavy recently.

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Newcastle transfer news: Chelsea and Liverpool battle Eddie Howe for £60m Sandro Tonali replacement

According to a claim by Spanish outlet Fichajes, Premier League rivals Liverpool and Chelsea have entered the race to sign Newcastle United target Nicolo Barella. The Inter Milan midfielder is set to cost in excess of £60m+, so it will be an interesting battle between the English trio.

Barella was initially targeted by Newcastle before they signed Sandro Tonali. In hindsight, the St James Park hierarchy probably wish they had put more money into Barella since Sandro Tonali becoame suspended. Now it's all come full circle, as Eddie Howe finds himself in the transfer market for a new midfielder to replace the absent Sandro Tonali.

In my opinion, Barella is a better player than Tonali anyway. I mean this as no disrespect to our summer signing as he started the season well and I'm excited for when he returns from his suspension but if you would've given me the choice between Barella and Tonali in the summer, I would've chosen the former. Especially since he was fresh from the Champions League final.

In other news, Newcastle remain keen to sign Kalvin Phillips. Phillips is the more likely option since there isn't as much competition for him and he would be a much cheaper option, I think it's fair to say.

What do you make of today's Newcastle transfer news?