Over the past week or so, the Italian media have stated that Bologna face the risk of losing Toulouse’s Logan Costa to Newcastle United.
Three days ago, Il Resto del Carlino reported the Ligue 1 side would favour negotiating a deal with the Magpies.
On Wednesday, the same outlet said Bologna are waiting to find out if Newcastle will ‘sink the blow’ for the defender.
The Serie A side’s fear has come true if Thursday’s edition of Corriere di Bologna is to be believed, because the newspaper states Newcastle have taken a step forward to sign the 23-year-old.
It’s claimed Eddie Howe’s side opened ‘first formal contacts’ on Wednesday, to try and sign the central defender from the French club.
The Cape Verde international has less than two years left on his contract. The report says his club are requesting a fee between €18m and €20m to let him go in this window.
Corriere di Bologna claim the Italian club are not at all close to meeting Toulouse’s request and are working to sign other targets. The Premier League side may not have an issue meeting Costa’s asking price, but there’s still some doubt over whether Newcastle’s name is merely being used to pressure Bologna.