Gianluca Di Marzio – Sky Sports’ Italian correspondent – is reporting that Newcastle are showing ‘strong interest’ in Juventus’ out of favour defender Daniel Rugani.
The 6ft 3′ centre-half, who has seven international caps for Italy, has seen himself slide down the Juventus pecking order and now finds himself as fifth choice in his position behind the likes of Chiellini, Bonucci and De Ligt.
Sky Italy also report that West Ham are showing interest in the 26-year-old.
He made just 10 league appearances in Serie A last term and could be set for a move away from the Italian giants after being an unused substitute in their opening day win against Sampdoria over the weekend.
Di Marzio doesn’t clarify whether our interest is regarding a permanent deal or a loan one – but it’s easy to surmise that it would be the latter, with us likely to be scouring the loan market now the majority of our summer budget was spent on Wilson, Lewis and Fraser a fortnight ago.
Steve Bruce still has an overseas loan available to him and is in need of another defensive option after the Rob Holding deal fell through.
The Italian would also provide competition for Lascelles and Fernandez – who were nothing short of awful at the weekend – and also allow for Lejeune’s exit following his loan move to Alaves.
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