---
title: "Newcastle: Antonin Barak on Magpies’ radar"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/newcastle-antonin-barak-transfer-link-21m/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "David Comerford"
section: "Newcastle United"
published: "2021-11-16T14:35:16Z"
modified: "2021-11-16T14:35:16Z"
---

# Newcastle: Antonin Barak on Magpies’ radar

**Newcastle United are admirers of midfielder Antonin Barak, according to Italian newspaper L’Arena (via [Tutto Hellas Verona](https://www.tuttohellasverona.it/rassegna/l-arena-west-ham-e-newcastle-occhi-su-simeone-e-barak-45174)).**

### The lowdown

Predominantly an attacking midfielder, the 26-year-old has started every league game for Hellas Verona so far this season (via [WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/131042/Show/Antonin-Barak)). He has scored four goals, provided two assists and [averaged a rating of just over seven out of 10.](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/131042/Show/Antonin-Barak)

Barak was part of the Czech Republic’s squad for last summer’s European Championship, [featuring three times](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/131042/Show/Antonin-Barak) for Jaroslav Silhavy’s side, who were knocked out in the quarter-finals. Earlier this year, he was [hailed as ‘tremendous’](https://twitter.com/MaaxiAngelo/status/1375831307771592707) by Italian journalist Maxi Angelo.

### The latest

The report from L’Arena (via [Tutto Hellas Verona](https://www.tuttohellasverona.it/rassegna/l-arena-west-ham-e-newcastle-occhi-su-simeone-e-barak-45174)) states that Newcastle and West Ham have both ‘set their sights’ on Barak.

The midfielder is apparently valued at least €25m, which equates to about £21.1m.

### The verdict

When he was at Bournemouth, Eddie Howe favoured a [‘4-4-2 double 6’](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/eddie-howe/profil/trainer/10976) formation. That kind of shape wouldn’t appear to accommodate an attacking midfielder like Barak.

There’s no guarantee that the 43-year-old sticks with the same system on Tyneside, of course, and he might be willing to adjust his set-up depending on who Newcastle recruit midway through the season.

It could be difficult to compete with West Ham, though, given that they already have a healthy Czech contingent (Tomas Soucek, Vladimir Coufal and Alex Kral) who could look to persuade Barak, as well as being able to [offer European football instantly](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/59159090).

**In other news, [Frank McAvennie has backed this mooted NUFC transfer](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/newcastle-united-transfer-rumours/dele-alli-tottenham-premier-league/)**