Following news relayed earlier today, Newcastle United are said to have lodged interest in AS Roma midfielder Lorenzo Pellegrini. The 25-year-old currently plays under Jose Mourinho and recently helped his side claim the UEFA Conference League just last month.
An Italy international, the tidy playmaker has featured heavily since Mourinho's appointment and is said to require a sizeable fee in order to lure him away from the Stadio Olimpico this summer.
Netting against both Germany and Hungary in his countries UEFA Nations League campaign so far, the Magpies have once again been linked with another player that would leave eyebrows raised heading into the new campaign later this year.
READ MORE: Newcastle United front page news in Italy after reports of £50million 'offer' for Lorenzo Pellegrini
Despite still having four years left on his current deal in Rome, the story had made front page headlines in the Corriere dello Sport, with ChronicleLive's chief Newcastle United writer Lee Ryder insisting the move would be ' intriguing ' given the club's already available options in the midfield department.
Who is Lorenzo Pellegrini?
An academy graduate of the Roma system, Pellegrini has now spent a huge chunk of his footballing life with the Serie A side and will turn 26 next week. Scoring 14 times and registering 8 assists too in 41 appearances last season, the central midfielder would be a tidy addition to any side.
What is his play style?
A creative metronome, Pellegrini loves to dictate play from the middle of the park and has exemplary passing abilities to begin. When playing further upfield as we have seen this season, the 25-year-old loves to find pockets in which to open up defences, whilst also preferring to operate from a more right handed side of midfield much like we see here in England with Kevin de Bruyne.
Who has been linked with him in the past?
Tottenham, Arsenal and Liverpool have all previously been linked with moves for the former Sassuolo man, with his abilities clear for all on-watchers to see. His long term deal with Roma is a particular sticking point, with many clubs perhaps suggesting that there may be cheaper alternatives out there with a current £50million price tag hovering over the players head.
Does the move make sense?
In terms of the calibre of player Newcastle now seemingly are looking to attract, yes. But with Bruno Guimaraes, Joe Willock and Jonjo Shelvey all already established at this level some what, it remains to be seen whether Pelligrini could fit in here in England. Winning only his first honour as a player this year, it will be an interesting development to keep an eye on over the course of the summer months.
