Newcastle and Villa join Hull in race for Lazio’s Morrison – report

Ravel Morrison: Back in England

Ravel Morrison: Back in England

Newcastle and Aston Villa are ready to rival Hull in a bid to lure out-of-favour Lazio midfielder Ravel Morrison back to England, according to a report in Italy.

The troubled former Manchester United midfielder has started just eight matches for the capital club since he moved to Serie A 16 months ago, and it’s claimed Lazio are ready to allow the player to return to England when the transfer window reopens.

The player was linked with a move to Hull earlier this week, but now the Corriere dello Sport, via CalcioMercato claims Morrison – who has also had spells at West Ham, QPR and Cardiff – is on the radar of both Rafa Benitez and Steve Bruce.

Morrison, 23, clearly has plenty of natural talent, but his attitude has often caused friction – and now it seems Lazio too have had enough.

He was axed by former coach Stefano Pioli for showing a lack of effort and new boss Simone Inzaghi has refused to play him at all.

Lazio have given Morrison, under contract until June 2019, permission to find a new club and will offload him for just £600,000, the paper claims.

Inzaghi said: “Ravel Morrison is on the market, seeking a new destination.”

Newcastle will hope the possible capture of Morrison will boost their promotion push, which next takes them to Sunday’s huge battle with in-form Leeds at Elland Road.

The Magpies are narrow favourites in the sports betting to emerge with all three points from the encounter.