Report: Newcastle linked with Italy midfielder Stefano Sensi

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The Sassuolo player, 23, has been compared to Roma and Italy legend Daniele De Rossi.

Many Newcastle United fans are bracing themselves for a tough January transfer window.

Magpies manager Rafa Benitez suggested during Friday’s press conference – as quoted by the Daily Mail – that the club may struggle to recruit quality players in January.

Newcastle are currently 14th in the Premier League table and, although two wins on the trot have given fans renewed optimism, some worries remain over how the squad may cope for the long haul.

The Magpies have only scored nine goals in 12 league games, and no player has claimed more than one assist during this time, which suggests a need to recruit a creative player in midfield or attack.

The latest transfer report involving Newcastle will therefore be of much interest to the Toon Army, with Chronicle Live suggesting that Sassuolo midfielder Stefano Sensi is on the Magpies’ radar.

According to Italian Football Daily, the 23-year-old is deemed “a little bit of Daniele De Rossi mixed with Claudio Marchisio” and is gifted with superb vision and passing range, as well as great defensive instinct off the ball.

Sensi sounds like a good fit for Newcastle, given he can not only pick apart opposition defences and adequately supply the forwards, but also adhere to Benitez’s pragmatic style which requires defensive nous.

Several injuries have disrupted Sensi’s time at Sassuolo but, with Italy boss Roberto Mancini handing the player his first international cap in the recent 1-0 win over the United States, it looks as though he has plenty of potential.

The Chronicle Live report states that Newcastle – who are said to be bracing themselves for Isaac Hayden pushing for a January exit – scouted Sensi prior to his senior international debut.

However, with Serie A giants AC Milan, Inter Milan and Juventus also credited with an interest, as well as a reported €25million (around £22million) price tag, it looks as though Newcastle may have a battle on their hands to recruit Sensi.