Newcastle United have discussed a potential move for Sassuolo’s Serie A left-back Rogerio, according to The Athletic, despite previously cancelling his move to the Premier League.
At the time, the decision made sense. At least, it appeared to.
Newcastle had all-but tied up a deal to bring Rogerio to St James’ Park for around £12.5 million.
But, at the eleventh hour, Steve Bruce’s side backed away, turning their attention instead to a man with a proven track record in the Premier League – even if his one and only top-flight season did end in relegation.
Some 18 months on, that sudden U-turn feels more madness than masterstroke.
Jamal Lewis could yet suffer his second first division drop-out in the space of two years. And, throughout his time on Tyneside, the former Norwich City flyer has found form and fitness increasingly difficult to come by.
Will Newcastle United finally sign Rogerio?
Rogerio, meanwhile, continues to impress over in Italy.
The 24-year-old Brazilian, who joined Sassuolo from Juventus, set up the only goal of the game as Alessio Dionisi’s Neroverdi reached the Coppa Italia quarter-finals with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Cagliari in midweek.
According to The Athletic, Rogerio has ‘featured in conversations’ at St James, as Newcastle look to bring in a new left-back before February’s transfer deadline.
He is not the club’s top-target, however. That honour goes to Rogerio’s fellow Serie A flyer Robin Gosens.
And, at this stage, Rogerio is probably used to missing out. He was a target Newcastle in January 2019 too, before the ill-fated arrival of Antonio Barreca from Monaco.
Remember him? Yeah, we thought not.
Is this the year when Rogerio finally gets his move? With Atalanta standing firm over Gosens, nothing can be ruled out at this stage.
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