‘Ready to get serious’ - Fabrizio Romano drops big Newcastle United transfer update for £50m star
Several sources have linked Newcastle United with a move for Inter Milan youngster Pio Esposito.
Newcastle United are reportedly interested in Inter Milan sensation Pio Esposito this summer.
The 20-year-old has broken into the Inter side this season following two years on loan at Serie B outfit Spezia. Last year, Esposito bagged 17 goals in the Italian second tier to turn heads at the San Siro.
Cristian Chivu has eased Esposito into the Inter team, with the youngster netting seven goals across all competitions. Described as a physically powerful but intelligent striker, he has already netted three international goals since making his senior debut in September.
Fabrizio Romano reveals Newcastle United interest
As previously reported by the Daily Mail, Italian sports journalist Fabrizio Romano now claims Newcastle are interested in Esposito. He has noted how Inter view the 6ft 3in forward - valued at around £50million - as “untouchable” but the Magpies would be prepare to “get serious” if he becomes available.
"One of the players Inter consider untouchable this summer is certainly Pio Esposito,” Romano told his YouTube channel. “There has been a lot of talk abroad about Arsenal, but the Gunners haven’t made any concrete moves, beyond scouting various players.
“As far as I know, Newcastle are a club that would be ready to get serious in terms of figures and will sign a striker in the summer: Esposito is one of the names circulating, he is a highly rated player, but Inter have no intention of opening negotiations."
Where does this leave £124m duo?
It was telling that Eddie Howe left Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa on the bench against Barcelona in midweek. Will Osula started ahead of the £124million duo, with Anthony Gordon - despite being ill - also introduced as Newcastle pushed for a goal.
Neither striker has set the world alight since arriving for big bucks last year. Signing another striker would only compound that uncertainty - but Howe backed Woltemade from the critics last month.
“I speak to the players,” he told NewcastleWorld. “Not necessarily on a daily basis, but I'll be having meetings with them throughout the week on various things, usually associated with their game and trying to help them with viewing games. I've done a lot of that with Nick.
“I think Nick's in a relatively decent place with his game. It's so funny how one performance or one bad game can suddenly bring a cloud around a player. I think Nick's performances, if you look at them with a more holistic viewpoint, have been excellent in recent games. I've been pleased with him.
“Yes, he's maybe not getting the goals that he was in the early season, but I think his all-round game is better than it was. I'm oblivious to the outside opinion. I would be saying the same as the national team manager, not necessarily to relax, but to carry on enjoying football, play your way. He's got outstanding qualities, I think he'll only get better for us as time goes on.”