Reports in Italy have now linked Newcastle United with an interest in Napoli midfielder Stanislav Lobotka.
According to Calciomercato.it Newcastle have their eye on Slovakian midfielder Stanislav Lobotka from Serie A champions Napoli.
The Italian outlet suggests that Napoli would be willing to listen to offers of over €60million (£52million) for the 28-year-old international teammate of Martin Dubravka.
The Newcastle link seems to have come from the alleged Saudi interest
However, they also mention that a couple of Saudi Pro League clubs are also interested in Lobotka’s services.
Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr both want to sign the defensive midfielder who is contracted to Napoli until 2027. That’s where the Newcastle link comes in with the report suggesting that if either of the Saudi sides were to approach Lobotka they’d include a clause which allows him to play in Europe for another season – ‘most likely at Newcastle.’
It now seems inevitable that any player linked with one of the four PIF-owned Saudi clubs will be linked with a loan move to Newcastle due to the ownership connection, regardless of how much truth there is in it.
Newcastle are on the verge of signing a CDM so a move for Lobotka seems unlikely
If Newcastle really want Lobotka then they will make their own move for him rather than relying on the Saudi links. The scrutiny we’d face would be more hassle than it’s worth to do those deals, but still, why let truth get in the way of a good story?
Lobotka made 38 Serie A appearances for Napoli in their title-winning season, so he’s clearly a decent player being a key member of that team.
Having pretty much wrapped up a deal for Sandro Tonali I’m not sure we’ll be looking for another defensive midfielder now, so I don’t see this one happening.
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