Premier League outfit Newcastle United have been handed a boost in the pursuit of Roma’s Jordan Veretout with his agent ruling out a move to Serie A giants Napoli, speaking to Radio Marte.
If Dan Burn, Chris Wood and Kieran Trippier were short-term additions brought in to drag Newcastle clear of the relegation mire, Bruno Guimaraes represents something rather different.
It is no secret that Eddie Howe, a modern, forward-thinking tactician, is keen to introduce a more stylish, free-flowing style of play at St James’ Park, following years of, ahem, Brucey-ball.
And Guimaraes, a wonderful deep-lying playmaker capable of producing moments of mind-spending skill, feels like a posterboy of a new-look Newcastle side. A posterboy for the Eddie Howe era.
Someone who’s stunning passing range can transform Newcastle from low-block merchants into a team comfortable with the ball at their feet.
Should Jordan Vereout follow in his footsteps, the Magpies will suddenly have a midfield capable of going toe-to-toe with even the best in the Premier League.
Is Jordan Veretout finally about to sign for Eddie Howe?
According to Calciomercato, the former Aston Villa youngster could be offered a second chance in English football, six years after that ill-fated spell in claret-and-blue.
Talks over a new deal at Roma have hit the buffers. Jose Mourinho’s side will now accept a knockdown fee of around £12 million.
Alongside Newcastle and Marseille, Napoli have also been linked. But, according to the France international’s representative, a move across Italy to the Stadio San Paolo is not on the cards.
“Napoli don’t sign players like that,” explains Mario Giuffredi.
“The idea is to go for young people and given the historical moment that we are living from a financial point of view, it’s an okay (approach). Napoli have (Stanislav) Lobotka.
“(Eljif) Elmas is young but he has experience. (Andre-Franck Zambo) Anguissa is an expert as well, like (Piotr) Zielinski.
“Napoli already has many experienced midfielders.”
Veretout, who reportedly wants £70,000-a-week in the Italian capital, is a long-term target for Newcastle boss Howe.
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