Newcastle sporting director Dan Ashworth is in Italy with the club hopeful of finalising a deal worth at least £50million for Milan midfielder Sandro Tonali.
Boss Eddie Howe has identified the 23-year-old as his top target and, while sources say a fee is still to be agreed with the Serie A club, the arrival of Ashworth in Milan is seen as a sign of intent to close the move. Negotiations accelerated on Thursday after talks with intermediaries earlier in the week.
Tonali is seen as a player who can anchor Newcastle’s midfield, freeing Bruno Guimaraes to play further forward.