The season is not over yet, but Newcastle United are already looking to make some moves in the summer transfer window.
Two reports have come out this week stating that Newcastle United have been monitoring two players in the Serie A. It is being reported that the Magpies have their eyes on Nicolo Zaniolo from AS Roma and Roberto Inglese, whose contract is with Napoli, but has been playing on loan for Parma.
Seeing that Isaac Hayden will be allowed to leave Newcastle in the summer and both Mohamed Diame and Jonjo Shelvey could depart as well, it makes sense for the Magpies to scout players well in advance of the transfer window opening. New talent is undoubtedly needed on Tyneside, but are these rumored targets worthy of a chance to play for Newcastle in the Premier League?
Analzying Nicolo Zaniolo
Zaniolo is a young attacking midfielder with plenty of potential to be considered a rising star in Italian football. Only 19-years-old, Zaniolo will be seen as a gamble by most interested parties, but he has played well with Roma this season. Zaniolo has made 22 appearances for the Italian giants across all competitions and has scored five goals, with two of those goals coming in the Champions League against Porto.
Zaniolo began his youth career with Fiorentina, but they released him from the squad soon after. Inter Milan purchased the youngster in 2017, but he never featured with the first team. Roma was next in line as they took a chance on Zaniolo last summer and that risk has turned into reward. Zaniolo would be an interesting signing for Newcastle and he would contribute to the Toon’s new-look attack. It is unclear what price tag Roma would place on the midfielder, but they only purchased him for €4.5M.
Analyzing Roberto Inglese
Steve Nickson’s scouting crew have also been monitoring Italian striker Roberto Inglese. The 27-year-old joined Napoli in 2017, but has never featured with the first team. As a result, Inglese spent last season on loan at Chievo, where he scored 13 goals in 36 appearances, and this season he is on loan at Parma. Thus far in the 2018-19 Serie A campaign, Inglese has scored eight goals in 17 matches.
Inglese is a solid secondary striker to have on a team as he provides depth and can boost internal competition. Purchasing him with the aim of being Newcastle’s primary striker would be a mistake though. Inglese has only scored 66 goals in 247 matches over the course of his career. If Newcastle are looking to bring him in to replace Joselu or Yoshinori Muto – two players who should leave the club – then he would be a good signing. Also, the fact that he has never featured for Napoli should make him available at an inexpensive cost.