Newcastle ready to launch £30m bid for 24-year-old who rejected Howe last year

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Newcastle United are reportedly ready to step up their interest in Nicolo Zaniolo after the midfielder was once again linked with a move to Tyneside.

Zaniolo is a long-term ‘target’ for the Magpies, although we mean ‘target’ in the loosest sense of the word. While there have been plenty of stories about him moving to St James’ Park, they have all felt rather farfetched.

That is the case once again this summer, with a recent story stating that Eddie Howe wants to sign the 24-year-old from Galatasaray.

The rumour itself felt out of the blue, and now the story has gone a step further.

Newcastle ready to make Nicolo Zaniolo offer

According to Turkish outlet Sabah, Newcastle are ready to pay £30million to sign Zaniolo from Galatasaray. The report states that the Magpies will then need to persuade the Italy international, which is easier said than done if last year is anything to go by.

Zaniolo was linked with a move to Newcastle in the summer of 2022, when Eddie Howe was preparing for his first full season as manager at St James’ Park.

The Magpies made an approach last summer, only for Zaniolo to reject the move in favour of staying in Italy.

Then Newcastle made a fresh move just months later, proposing a loan deal with an option to buy. That was rejected by Roma, meaning that Howe had failed to sign Zaniolo twice in the space of a few months.

He joined Galatasaray at the start of the year, and is already being linked with a move away from Turkey. His £30million release clause could potentially be activated by Newcastle, which would delight Sandro Tonali, as it would mean he is not the only Italian at the club.

But while a deal might appeal to Tonali, it feels incredibly unlikely. The story is likely being driven by agents, which is probably what has always been the case regarding the Zaniolo to Newcastle rumours.

Howe’s current focus is defensive reinforcements, so spending £30million on an attacking midfielder would make absolutely no sense.