Antonin Barak, a Hellas Verona midfielder who has had a good start to the season, is being monitored by both Newcastle United and West Ham United, according to reports.
Following reports from the print version of L’Arena, as confirmed by TuttoHellasVerona, Newcastle United and West Ham are keeping a careful eye on the progress of Hellas Verona playmaker Antonin Barak’s development.
Newcastle is the front-runner to recruit the Czech offensive midfielder, according to the source, since the Magpies aim to take the next step ahead in the transfer process. According to sources, the Magpies are prepared to offer more than €25 million for Barák and have already sent staff to collect scouting reports on the midfielder after being pleased with his performances in pre-season.
Barak began his professional career with FK Pbram before moving on to Slavia Prague, a Czech powerhouse. A number of Italian teams expressed an interest in him after he had an impressive first season with Slavia in 2012. In the summer of 2017, Udinese made a shrewd acquisition of the promising midfielder for a minimal amount.
The 26-year-old has established himself as a valuable member of the Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi squad
After scoring seven goals in 34 Serie A appearances during his first season with the club in 2017/18, it seemed as if Udinese had discovered yet another hidden gem. Following a season in which he was unable to replicate the success of his first campaign, a loan spell with Lecce enabled him to regain his footing in the Italian league. Hellas Verona pounced on the chance and signed Barak on a two-year loan deal with an option to purchase that began in September 2020.
The 26-year-old has established himself as a valuable member of the Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi squad. In 34 Serie A appearances, he scored seven goals and added three assists, prompting Gialloblu to sign him on a permanent basis. He has had a strong start to the season, scoring four goals and providing an assist in his first 11 appearances. Barak performed well for the Czech Republic at Euro 2020, assisting them in reaching the competition’s quarter-finals and displaying his ability to perform on the largest stage possible.
Newcastle United’s new owners are scouting for prospective transfer targets to help them avoid relegation to the Premier League’s bottom division. Newcastle United now reside in 19th place in the Premier League, having failed to win a single game in their first 10 outings in the competition.
As a result, it would be difficult for them to attract top-tier players, but they may get by with a few shrewd acquisitions. Barak seems to be a serious option on their shortlist of candidates.
Newcastle’s midfield would benefit from his invigorating and inventive play
A playmaker to connect up the play and create opportunities for the Toon’s offensive talents, Allan Saint-Maximin and Callum Wilson, has been linked with Newcastle in recent weeks. Donny van de Beek and James Ward-Prowse are two players who have been linked with the Toon. Their assaults seem fragmented due to Newcastle’s perceived deficiency in creative thinking in the centre of the park. Barak may be able to solve the situation.
Newcastle’s midfield would benefit from his invigorating and inventive play. Because of his flexibility, he can play in a variety of midfield positions as well as in broader areas. The Magpies, on the other hand, will have to compete with West Ham for its services. In July, L’Arena claimed that West Ham was prepared to spend about £10m to bring the 26-year-old to the London Stadium, but the deal finally fell through due to financial difficulties.
It is reported that the Hammers are still interested in signing players from the Czech Republic to bolster their already-large contingent. The fact that they have such a deep bench at the position suggests that Moyes should prioritise bolstering other parts of the field, such as by signing an additional striker. Only time will tell if any side will make a play for Barak when the new year begins in January.
