Newcastle United have already bought one midfielder from Italy this season, and circumstance could lead to them signing another.
The Magpies signed Sandro Tonali from AC Milan during the summer transfer window, with the Italy international becoming the marquee arrival on Tyneside.
However, his subsequent ban for betting has put Newcastle in an incredibly difficult situation – and one that has only been amplified by injuries to Joelinton, Joe Willock and Elliot Anderson.
Eddie Howe now needs another midfielder, with Kalvin Phillips heavily linked with a loan move from Manchester City.
But that deal is proving to be difficult, leading to Newcastle looking at alternatives. One alternative is Atalanta midfielder Ederson, who Toon head of recruitment Steve Nickson scouted on Monday.
Nickson watched on as Ederson scored in a 5-0 win for Atalanta, and it has since been claimed that the Brazilian midfielder would be interested in joining Newcastle. Atalanta are less enthusiastic, and would like a fee of £51million to sell him this month.
That makes a deal incredibly unlikely, but the Telegraph’s Luke Edwards does not think a deal is happening regardless of the price.
Newcastle are not going to sign Ederson this month
Journalist Luke Edwards has spoke about Newcastle scouting Ederson on the latest episode of the Transfer Gossip Daily podcast, and shared what he has heard about the 24-year-old.
“Newcastle have been looking abroad as well,“ he said.
“They have been linked with the Atalanta Brazilian midfielder Ederson. I’m told that’s not entirely true.
“He has been scouted but he’s not a player they want this month.“
January deal would be complicated for Newcastle
Edwards does not think Ederson is a player for the January transfer window, despite admitting that Newcastle have been to take a look at him.
At the price being quoted, it is no surprise that Newcastle are not fully invested in signing Ederson this month.
A fee of £51million would make him the third most expensive player in the club’s history, at a time when they relentlessly talking about their inability to spend due to profit and sustainability rules.
He may be someone who Newcastle look at again in the summer, but it would be a shock to see him arrive in January.
The search for a midfielder goes on, at a time when we are absolutely desperate. In the end, all roads could lead back to Kalvin Phillips.
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