Newcastle United could bring another Italy international to the Premier League with Eddie Howe’s side reportedly stepping up their pursuit of Galatasaray forward Nicolo Zaniolo.
With Sandro Tonali through the door already, and with the Magpies heavily linked to the likes of Theo Hernandez, Nicolo Barella and Federico Chiesa, Newcastle United appear to be dining out on pizza and parmesan this summer, Howe hoping to add an Italian flavour to his St James’ Park roster.
Tuttomercatoweb say that Nicolo Zaniolo – linked on-and-off with Newcastle over the last few windows – is once again a target. Not only that, Newcastle are actively pushing down on the accelerator.
The Carabao Cup runners-up are, TMW say, ‘gathering information’ and making ‘polls’.
Newcastle United make shock Nicolo Zaniolo move
Galatasaray only signed Zaniolo from Roma in January, after Tonali’s fellow Italy international became the latest victim of Jose Mourinho’s soul-crushing iron fist. The Turkish champions will not be bullied into selling after just a few short months; TMW add that a £23 million bid has already been rejected from an unnamed club.
The problem for Gala, however, is that Zaniolo has a £30 million release clause in his contract.
One a Saudi Arabian-backed Newcastle would – Financial Fair Play permitting – have few problems triggering.
‘Incredible potential’
Zaniolo started only two Super Lig games out of 10 for Galatasaray, but still scored five goals in that time. An attacking midfielder or a centre-forward – the versatile 24-year-old has been compared to players ranging from Paul Gascoigne to Dusan Vlahovic – Zaniolo would add depth and flexibility to Howe’s frontline ahead of a return to the Champions League for Newcastle United.
“Zaniolo has incredible potential,” said Roma legend Zbigniew Boniek. “If you ask people what his position is, then everyone will give you a different response.
“In my view, he is a classic ‘number nine’. He can protect the ball, has physical strength, turns defenders well, is good in the air and can shoot.
“I always say when I see (Juventus’) Dusan Vlahovic play that Zaniolo could do just as well. Perhaps even better, because he also has this strong physicality. He really is a great player.”
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