Newcastle United are among the teams interested in a move for Marcelo Brozovic this winter...

What's the word?

That's according to InterLive.it, who claim the Magpies are 'crazy' about signing the Croatian midfielder as he enters the final few months of his contract at the San Siro.

They'll be battling Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain for his signature, so he's certainly a high-calibre and coveted player to be in for.

The report does not mention any potential fee for the 28-year-old in January but other sources in Italy suggest that he could be available for as little as €20m (£18m).

Statement signing

In the past, Brozovic has been likened to Frank Lampard due to his playing style, with the Chelsea legend's former manager Jose Mourinho a huge fan having dubbed him "the top of the top" and a "fantastic player" to talkSPORT during the summer.

The £36m-rated maestro contributed two goals and six assists in 33 league appearances as Inter clinched the Serie A title under new Spurs boss Antonio Conte last season. He also ended the campaign as their fourth highest-rated player on WhoScored.

Brozovic led the side for tackles (1.6) and key passes (1.4) per game and wasn't too far behind for interceptions (1.2) either, proving to be that Lampard-like box-to-box presence in the heart of midfield.

But perhaps his biggest asset is his passing range. His ex-manager Luciano Spalletti once claimed the 28-year-old had a "compass in the foot."

An average of 66.7 passes per game saw him rank third in the squad and that's even more impressive considering his 89.6% passing accuracy, thus living up to Spalletti's raving review.

That has continued into this campaign where he is averaging a phenomenal 92.2% passing accuracy - the best in the squad.

If PIF can beat some of Europe's biggest clubs to the signing of Brozovic, then it would certainly send a warning to the rest of the Premier League that the Saudis mean business.

Securing Brozovic would be quite the statement indeed.

AND in other news, PIF can revolutionise Newcastle United by hiring 56 y/o supremo in "huge coup"...