Newcastle United are reportedly close to signing the Sassuolo defender.
Outside of striker, the main position that needed addressed this offseason was left-back. Neither Danny Rose or Jetro Willems have returned following their loan spells ending and the club’s only full-time player there on the roster is outcast Achraf Lazaar.
But, it appears a new player could be joining soon. According to Sky Sports’ Gianluca Di Marzio, Newcastle United are close to signing their left-back for the present and future.
Di Marzio states that a deal is almost done to bring Rogério to Tyneside from Sassuolo. He reports the cost for Newcastle will be around 14 million. Rogério, a 22-year-old from Brazil, has been playing in Italy since joining Sassuolo’s youth side in 2016. He also featured for Juventus’ youth level and was loaned back to Sassuolo before making the move permanent.
He’s made more than 60 appearances in Serie A with the club, including 51 starts. He has two goals and two assists in league play. But, those numbers don’t tell the story of his playing style. He is definitely an outside-back that likes to get forward. He has good pace and skill on the ball, which Newcastle United lacked during the reign of Paul Dummett at left-back.
With this move, they would be spending a solid chunk of the transfer budget on a position of need. Also, this wouldn’t be a stop-gap move for just this season. Rogério would be able to grow with the other youthful pieces of the club and hopefully hold down that left flank for years to come. If the deal can get across the line soon, there should be time for the young Brazilian to work his way into the lineup early in the season.