Newcastle United are already considering a potential midfield replacement should Sandro Tonali leave this summer, with Aleksandar Stankovic currently being named.
According to Gianluca Di Marzio, the young Serbian midfielder has performed well at Club Brugge and is expected to return to Inter Milan on a buy-out clause, but Newcastle are reportedly interested in testing the situation.
Tonali’s future remains uncertain. Manchester United and Arsenal have both been linked with the Italian, with talkSPORT reporting that Tonali has wanted to leave Newcastle since January and could be a more realistic midfield option for United than other targets.
That’s why it makes sense that Newcastle would be interested in Stankovic. Should Tonali leave, Eddie Howe’s side will need someone who can bring energy, discipline and technical safety to the center of the pitch.
Newcastle United target versatile midfielder
Stankovic is only 20 years old, but he already has a reputation as a defensive midfielder who can also play as a centre-back if needed.
He is the son of former Inter Milan midfielder Dejan Stanković, but is now starting to forge his own career.
After leaving Inter to join Club Brugge, he became a regular in Belgium and even broke into the Serbian national team.
His profile is exactly the kind of smart, forward-thinking player Newcastle should be looking at.
However, the situation is a little more complicated. Inter sold Stanković to Club Brugge, but the contract included a buy-back clause.
Inter Milan could be an obstacle
According to reports, Inter could re-sign him for around 23 million euros in 2026 and 25 million euros in 2027, meaning the Italian club could control the next step.
Inter are expected to trigger this clause and then decide whether to keep him or sell him for a profit.
Newcastle, Atlético Madrid and Borussia Dortmund are among the clubs that have been named as potential targets, indicating that Stankovic’s stock is on the rise.
This could be an interesting market opportunity for Newcastle. Instead of spending huge amounts of money on established stars, they could invest in a young midfielder with real upside.
This would be especially beneficial if Tonali brings in a big payday.
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