Report: Newcastle close in on Ghana international, despite Juve interest

Ashley Colbourn

TURIN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 12: Afriyie Acquah of FC Torino in action during the Serie A match between FC Torino and Pescara Calcio at Stadio Olimpico di Torino on February 12, 2017 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

Newcastle United are closing in on the signing of Ghanaian International Afriyie Acquah, according to reports.

The midfielder made 20 appearances this season for Torino, where he scored two goals and featured regularly alongside England international Joe Hart.

Acquah, 25, joined Torino in 2015 having previously under taken loan spells at Parma and Sampdoria whilst being contracted to Hoffenheim.

Last month, The Newcastle Chronicle reported that Juventus are also interested in the midfielder, which could be more appealing given that they are based in the same city as his current club.

Acquah told FootballMadeInGhana.com: “Yes, it is very likely I will be moving to England. It is 90% complete but we are still talking, once we finish I am sure an announcement will be made.

“It has been a dream of mine to play in England and I am very close to achieving this.”

A fee of around £8m has been touted for the player. He would be Rafael Benitez’s second signing of the summer, after Christian Atsu moved from Chelsea for £6.2m.