Such is the madness of the summer transfer window, any slight development becomes a big news story.
With Newcastle United linked with so many players this summer, those updates are a rather regular occurrence.
One of the bigger names touted as a target for the club during what remains of the window is Italy international Nicolo Zaniolo.
Recent reports from Turkish outlet Sabah have suggested Newcastle are prepared to pay £30m to sign the Galatasaray attacking midfielder.
So, when the 24-year-old missed his club’s Champions League qualifier win over Zalgiris, it would only be natural for rumours to swirl.
Still, the Gala boss has provided an update.
Nicolo Zaniolo missed Gala game through injury
Indeed, the attacker – once hailed as “incredible” by Roma legend Daniele De Rossi during his time with the Italian giants – has now suffered an injury.
As such, the absence for such a key game can be explained fairly easily.
“Zaniolo felt pain in his groin in the last tactical training, otherwise he would have been in the first XI. He is one of the players we trust, we will use it in the next matches,” said Okan Buruk to Sabah Spor.
Could be mind games but hard to see Newcastle moving
Given the club also reportedly bid for Zaniolo last summer, the links do make sense.
A fairly young attacker with some big time experience at Roma, it’s not the craziest link in the world.
Clearly, Buruk could just be giving an easy answer to the baying reporters looking for a major transfer story but it’s hard to see Newcastle actually moving.
Zaniolo only signed a four-year contract in Istanbul earlier this year and would presumably be expensive to sign.
Given the FFP issues Newcastle are dealing with this summer, it does not feel particularly likely considering Eddie Howe’s other options in that department.
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