Newcastle United are reportedly keen on signing the Roma striker.
According to a report from respected Italian media outlet Leggo, Newcastle have entered the race to sign Roma hitman Gregoire Defrel, but the Magpies can surely do better than the Frenchman.
The 27-year-old joined Roma initially on loan from Sassuolo last summer, with an obligation to buy clause being activated this year, but he really struggled for the Italian giants.
Defrel was hardly a hit in Rome, though.
The French forward chalked up just one goal and zero assists in 20 appearances in all competitions for Roma last season.
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In fact, his career record makes for pretty grim reading.
He has notched up just 52 goals and 25 assists in 271 career outings – a rather meagre tally for a forward.
Newcastle would be taking a huge risk by bringing Defrel to St James’ Park, and not just because of his underwhelming record in front of goal.
The Frenchman has never experienced playing in the Premier League, and the step up in both quality and intensity from Serie A has proven to be an extremely challenging one for some of the world’s best players.
Defrel, at 27, is still yet to prove himself in Italy, and Newcastle would be better served in avoiding a move for the Roma forward, and focus instead on bringing someone with proven Premier League pedigree into the club.
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