NEWCASTLE are reportedly preparing to pay £31million for Inter Milan and Croatia midfielder Marcelo Brozovic.
Eddie Howe is keen to add reinforcements to his squad in the summer as they prepare for European football.
A stunning 6-1 victory over Tottenham on Sunday moved the Magpies up to third place in the Premier League table.
And failing a late collapse, they will be in the Champions League next season.
According to Croatian outlet Sportske Novosti, Newcastle are eyeing up Brozovic as a potential transfer at the end of the season.
It is understood his arrival would free up Bruno Guimaraes to move into a more attacking role.
READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
Barcelona are also interested in the Croatian international – who has 85 caps for his country.
And Liverpool are known to be monitoring his situation.
But Saudi-backed Newcastle have the financial power to facilitate a deal for Brozovic – who has started just 13 league games this season.
And they are expected to offer him a substantial salary package to sweeten the deal.
Most read in Football
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
Brozovic, who joined Inter Milan from Dinamo Zagreb in 2015, has a contract until 2026.
He has played more than 300 games for the Serie A giants, contributing 30 goals and 38 assists.
He has claimed a Serie A title and Coppa Italia during his eight-year spell at the club.
The midfield engine also reached the World Cup final with Croatia in 2018 and the semi-finals last year.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
