Newcastle United

Newcastle United

Premier League • England

Newcastle plot eye-catching summer transfer as contact made with Serie A captain

Alessio Romagnoli, Ciro Immobile

Newcastle United have made an approach to land a Serie A captain in the summer transfer window, according to a report.

The Magpies went big in January, bringing in five players for a total cost of around £90million. The transfers have been effective and Eddie Howe’s men are now nine points above the relegation zone.

Clearly, Newcastle officials are happy with the progress being made and will green light more impressive transfers this summer.

Potential targets include Real Madrid wide man Rodrygo, Benfica’s Darwin Nunez and Kalvin Phillips of Leeds.

They are not the only big names in Newcastle’s sights. The Tyneside outfit are looking to bring in a skipper of an Italian club who will become a free agent on June 30.

The man in question is Milan captain Alessio Romagnoli. According to Sport Witness, who cite reports in Italy, the centre-back has ‘very few chances’ to remain at the San Siro.

He has been a loyal servant to the club since joining from Roma for £22.5million in August 2015. But a new deal is nowhere in sight, putting a summer exit on the cards.

Newcastle made approach ‘in recent days’

Newcastle are ready to pounce on the situation. They have made contact with Romagnoli’s agent ‘in recent days’. Their approach is one of several free transfer offers, although most of the others are not named.

Newcastle want to bolster their defensive ranks with the capture of the 12-cap Italy international. He could partner Fabian Schar, Jamaal Lascelles or Dan Burn in central defence next season.

And a raid would be a cost-effective one, given Romagnoli’s value is £18m according to transfermarkt.

Alessio Romagnoli and Alvaro Morata, AC Milan v Juventus in Serie A

A deal will not be straightforward, though. The report claims his preference is to stay in Italy and link up with Maurizio Sarri at Lazio.

The track ‘leads to Lazio’, although Newcastle will attempt to torpedo such a move.

Romagnoli has made 246 appearances for the Rossoneri, scoring 10 times. The 27-year-old has won one trophy with the Italian giants, the 2016/17 Supercoppa Italiana.

He could bow out on a high by helping Milan to secure the Serie A title this season. They sit top of the table currently, with a three-point lead on Napoli.

READ MORE: Recent Newcastle United arrival pledges to ‘write his name’ in club’s history books