Inter Milan’s Davide Frattesi: A Potential January Exit Amid Newcastle’s Interest

omidbasir- According to reports from Sport Witness, Newcastle United expressed interest in acquiring 26-year-old midfielder Davide Frattesi during the summer transfer window, but he ultimately remained with Inter Milan. Following a season in which he has played less than 200 minutes in Serie A, however, sources from Tuttomercatoweb indicate that Frattesi’s chances of breaking into the first team are being hindered by teammates Petar Sucic and Piotr Zielinski. Consequently, a departure in January seems increasingly likely, despite Newcastle’s initial attempts being turned down.

In August, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe acknowledged the need for additional midfield options, citing injuries to key players Joe Willock and Lewis Miley. He remarked, “We want six midfielders, and now we are down to four. That is an issue for us, and it is a position we are looking at.”

The summer transfer window proved eventful for Newcastle, highlighted by the Alexander Isak saga, and ultimately resulted in the signing of Jacob Ramsey from Aston Villa. Nonetheless, with a substantial portion of the season remaining, it is uncertain if this addition will adequately address Howe’s midfield concerns.

Howe also tempered expectations regarding the potential re-signing of Elliot Anderson, sold to Nottingham Forest last year as part of measures to manage the club’s profit and sustainability regulations. He stated, “Sentiment never comes into it; it is always about finance. We have not had any discussions regarding the January window. We are too focused on the number of games we have ahead. It is just not typically a window where large fees are paid. Long-term management of our financial situation is crucial, and we cannot allow a single transfer to destabilize that.”

While Frattesi is currently not a regular starter at Inter, having last begun a match on October 4, he remains active on the international stage. Recently, he participated in Italy’s 4-1 defeat to Norway, a crucial match in their World Cup qualifying campaign. Following the match, Frattesi reflected on the team’s performance, stating, “It was two games in one. In the first half, there was only one team on the pitch; in the second half, we showed that we are a bit fragile. After the first goal, we fell apart. We must now focus solely on the March playoffs.”

He added, “Explaining a 4-1 loss is difficult, but I wouldn’t label it as humiliation. They didn’t completely dominate us, at least from my perspective on the pitch. They proved deserving of the group win, so calling it humiliation is an exaggeration.”

As the January transfer window approaches, it remains to be seen whether Inter Milan will consider offers for Frattesi, whose contract extends until 2028, or if Newcastle will reaffirm their interest. The winter market is known for inflated prices, which could complicate negotiations. Prior to the transfer window, Frattesi’s Inter team will face Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, while Newcastle will compete against Marseille in France.