Despite strong claims from Italy that his €15m move to Tyneside was all but done, The Chronicle’s Chris Waugh has rubbished talk that a deal for Stefano Sturaro is close – saying he is NOT one of Rafa’s main targets despite regularly being linked with a move.
The 25-year-old looks almost certain to leave Juventus this summer and his agent has claimed that both ourselves, Wolves and Southampton are keen, however it seems as though it’s a case of his agent and the Italian media getting carried away more than anything.
Here’s the Chronicle reporter’s response to Calciomercato’s claims that he was all set to complete a move to St James’ Park:
The Italian media have been getting themselves extremely excited over Stefano Sturaro – but I’m afraid the noises are nowhere near as strong on Tyneside about this one.
He is a player Benitez is aware of, but he is not someone who has featured prominently during transfer meetings. I think this one of largely being driven by Sturaro’s agent, who is trying to drum up interest in his client, and Juventus – who are keen to get a transfer fee of around £15m for the midfielder.
At this stage, I’d be surprised to see Sturaro unveiled as a Newcastle player this summer – and there has certainly not been a bid launched for him, as has been claimed by some Italian media outlet.
This perhaps shows just how much of a pinch of salt we should take when it comes to the Italian press.
Just last weekend they seemed convinced he was on his way to Newcastle, but it seems those closer to home feel we Benitez barely even holds an interest – never mind him being close to signing him.
Understand that Juventus midfielder Stefano Sturaro is not one of Newcastle's summer targets. #nufc
— Miles Starforth (@milesstarforth) July 4, 2018
I do wish you would stop referring to Chris Waugh of the Chronicle as a Journalist.
Brrrian(Quote)