Yesterday it was reported that Newcastle United were still very much interested in Nicolo Zaniolo from Galatasaray and now there have been further developments in the story.
While Newcastle fans still want to know what Eddie Howe‘s doing about the lack of depth in defence, it seems the Magpies manager still has his sights set on creative options as progress is being made on the Nicolo Zaniolo front.
According to Turkish Football, Newcastle stand apart from the other suitors for Zaniolo’s signature and have begun to make headway in talks with his agent. There’s interest from Saudi Arabia but Zaniolo would prefer to stay in Europe which puts Newcastle back in the driving seat.
Zaniolo would cost Newcastle £30.1m as Galatasaray won’t sell for less
Other than the reported progress in talks, the other main difference in what was reported yesterday is that Turkish Football now claim that Galatasaray will not sell Zaniolo for less than his £30.1million release clause, whereas yesterday it was suggested a bid of £26million would be enough to seal the deal.
Even at £30.1million the 24-year-old Italy international would represent value for money.
Not just for the fact that he’d add another option on the right flank while bringing Europa Conference League winning and international experience with him, but also in that he would be another Italian team mate for new signing Sandro Tonali who is currently speed-learning English to fit in.
Standing at 6’3″ and possessing speed and agility, Zaniolo was once described as a ‘game-breaking freak of nature‘ by Chiesaditotti who later went on to say that there is nothing holding Zaniolo back from becoming a 20-goal-a-season player.
Another midfielder shouldn’t be Newcastle’s priority but this is still exciting
While he’s yet to hit those heights due to Jose Mourinho not fancying him at Roma, Zaniolo has still got plenty of potential left at 24 and could be greatly improved by the Wizard of Oz-like figure that is Eddie Howe at Newcastle.
After he joined Galatasaray in January, Zaniolo went on to bag seven goals and six assists in 26 appearances which isn’t a bad return for half a season in a new country.
While I firmly believe we need more defensive cover before we look at bringing in someone like Zaniolo, I can’t help but get excited by the idea of him pulling on the black and white and lining up alongside his international team mate, Tonali next season.
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