Newcastle United are interested in signing Galatasaray midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo this summer, according to a fresh transfer rumour.
The Magpies have enjoyed a good summer transfer window to date, bolstering their squad with the notable additions of Sandro Tonali and Harvey Barnes, among others.
There is more room of improvement within the squad, however, ensuring Eddie Howe’s side don’t rest on their laurels after a superb 2022/23 season, going up a further level in the process.
According to TuttoMercatoWeb [via Sport Witness], Newcastle have “set their sights” on signing Zaniolo this summer, seeing him as a potential option to bring in.
The report explains that the 24-year-old has enjoyed an “excellent impact” for Galatasaray since arriving from Roma back in January, and the main stumbling block currently is that the Turkish giants have no plans to sell him.
There is believed to be hope that Newcastle could still get their man, but it clearly won’t be easy for them to change the current situation.
Our verdict on Newcastle’s interest in Zaniolo…
Zaniolo’s quality is undeniable, having scored 24 goals and registered 18 assists for Roma, as well as netting five times in 12 matches for Galatasaray in his short time at the club to date.
There is also the small matter of the attacking midfielder winning 13 caps for Italy, further outlining quality, and he still a young player who could be a great long-term addition at Newcastle.
That being said, there is one big risk when it comes to the Magpies snapping up Zaniolo, considering he has had serious injury problems in the past, including a cruciate ligament rupture.
Should Newcastle’s medical department feel the Italian has overcome those issues, it is a move the club should look to get over the line, but if not, alternatives should be looked at.
Another midfielder is needed between now and the start of the new Premier League season – someone of James Maddison’s ilk who can linked the midfield and attack, with the Englishman ultimately picking Tottenham over the Magpies – as Howe’s men look to seal another top-four finish and impress back in the Champions League for the first time since the 2002/03 campaign.
