Jose Mourinho’s Roma will consider offers of £25 million for Roger Ibanez with Premier League outfit Newcastle United keen on the Serie A centre-back, as reported by Calciomercato.
You’d need more paper than a Hobbycraft superstore to keep track of all the defenders linked with a move to St James’ Park this summer. And, after missing out on Nico Schlotterbeck, Diego Carlos, Niklas Sule and Jerry St Juste – and with Sven Botman heading to AC Milan – it seems we can add yet another name to Newcastle’s already lengthy hit-list.
A name that will be familiar to supporters of Tottenham Hotspur.
As pointed out by Calciomercato, Ibanez is a long-time target for the London giants. Spurs reportedly failed with a £23 million bid during the summer of 2020. Two years on, Roma would be willing to cash in for a similar fee.
Will Roma sell Roger Ibanez to Newcastle United
Ibanez played more than 50 games in all competitions last term, including 34 in Serie A, while starting May’s UEFA Conference League final victory over Feyenoord. But with Roma looking to bring in a new centre-half of their own – Marco Senesi and Arthur Theate are two targets – the former Atalanta youngster will be allowed to leave if the price is right.
A Newcastle side bursting with more cash than Elon Musk’s piggy bank are unlikely to be put off by Ibanez’s £25 million asking price. The former Brazil youth international, aged just 23, also fits Newcastle’s policy of signing young, up-and-coming players yet to hit their peak, a la Bruno Guimaraes, Hugo Ekitike and co.
“I am quick and strong in the air too,” says Ibanez, painting the picture of a complete, very modern centre-half. “I like to play the ball to feet.”
The right-footed Ibanez, who can also fill in out wide, could slot in alongside Dan Burn at Newcastle. Thus, raising further questions about the future of Jamaal Lascelles.
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