Roma have just accelerated their negotiations with Hoffenheim to sign reported Newcastle United target Florian Grillitsch in the January transfer window, according to Calciomercato.
The Giallorossi have ramped up their discussions in recent hours to satisfy Jose Mourinho’s request for a new midfielder. He is adamant the Stadio Olimpico side need further options in their engine room for depth, while also shunning Gonzalo Villar and Amadou Diawara.
But his Serie A side will be operating on a strict budget in the winter market. So, CEO Tiago Pinto is seeking loans or bargain deals, mostly for players whose contracts expire next year.
Grillitsch is one of Roma’s prime targets with Borussia Monchengladbach’s Denis Zakaria. Both Bundesliga technicians will currently be free agents from the end of the season. Pinto also likes Marc Roca, but the Bayern Munich outcast would not be keen on the switch.
So, Pinto is prioritising negotiations with Hoffenheim and ramped up his pursuit of Grillitsch on Thursday. Die Kraichgauer are also open to selling the 26-year-old over the winter given his contractual situation, and are only seeking a fee in the region of €5m-6m (£4m-5m).
Roma to deal Newcastle blow with Grillitsch transfer negotiations?
Roma may deal Newcastle a blow to their January transfer plans by holding beneficial talks with Hoffenheim for Grillitsch. The Sun reported the Magpies’ interest in the midfielder last month, and noted they hoped to beat Mourinho having chased the Austrian for some time.
Newcastle feel Grillitsch can help aid Eddie Howe’s survival bid with a January transfer from Hoffenheim. The £35k-a-week ace can offer a versatile deep-lying role in the engine room. The Sun also noted United have the funds to tempt him to Tyneside in a £3m-4m transfer.
Grillitsch can also plug gaps in the defence, as he often has at the Rhein-Neckar-Arena this term. Of his 11 Bundesliga outings so far, six have come at centre-back to five in midfield.
Hoffenheim Sporting Director Alexander Rosen’s praise for Grillitsch hints toward why the Newcastle transfer target can offer such versatility.
“Florian is an extremely gifted footballer,” Rosen said, via Bundesliga.com. “He has a real football brain and great technique, and can apply himself to a number of different roles.”
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