Peru’s Copa America hero Pedro Gallese reportedly wants to follow national legend Nolberto Solano to Newcastle United.
Newcastle United’s search for a new number one goes on. Manager Rafael Benitez was left frustrated by the club’s failure to enhance their goalkeeping ranks in the summer, meaning he has been forced to rely on Rob Elliot in the opening weeks of the new season.
The Sun, however, reports that Newcastle are now hot on the trail of Real Sociedad’s £15 million-rated shot-stopper Geronimo Rulli. Galatasaray’s long-serving Uruguayan international Fernando Muslera, valued at £8 million, is also reported to be on The Magpies’ radar.
There appears to be another name in the frame, however – albeit a goalkeeper who is far from well-known in Europe.
Libero reports that Pedro Gallese dreams of playing in the Premier League – and would jump at the chance of following the footsteps of Peruvian legend Nolberto Solano at Newcastle United.
Copa star
But just who is the 27-year-old? Well, like Argentine Rulli and Uruguayan Muslera, Gallese is one of the most highly-rated goalkeepers in South America, having won 32 caps for his native Peru.
And it’s on the international stage where the Veracruz goalkeeper has shone in recent years. Gallese started where he meant to go on by saving a penalty on his Peru debut against Panama in 2014 and he hasn’t looked back since.
Gallese was one of the most impressive goalkeepers at the 2015 Copa America as Peru finished third and starred again in the Centenaro edition of the tournament one year later. The cat-like goal-guarder is perhaps best remembered for a Man of the Match performance in the famous 1-0 win against Brazil in the group stage that knocked the five-time World Champions out in the first round.
If a move to Newcastle materialises, Gallese will have the chance to show Europe why he is so highly-rated in South America.
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