Despite having one of the best defences in the Premier League to date, Newcastle United are being touted as a club set to purchase a centre-back in the summer.
One of the players they are reportedly looking at is Roger Ibañez, currently at AS Roma, where he is a very importance piece in José Mourinho’s plans.
His contract in Italy keeps him there until 2025, but that could also make this summer the ideal time to cash in on him if the right offer comes along.
A few Premier League sides have been linked of late, and Newcastle continue to be one of them, courtesy of Forza Roma.
The website look at the defender’s potential future, and point out that West Ham were the latest to be linked, thanks to an article by Calciomercato.
We covered that at the time, but there was no mention of Newcastle in there, which is why Forza Roma including Eddie Howe’s side in their own article is interesting.
They state both the Magpies and Spurs ‘are still eyeing Ibañez after unsuccessfully trying to sign him last year’.
As for a price, reports have suggested Roma would ask for ‘at least €50m’, even if ‘several reports claim the Giallorossi have included an €80m release clause’ in the Brazil international’s current deal.
Either way, it seems Newcastle are still keen, and with European football a likely inclusion in next year’s schedule at St James’ Park, strength in depth will be necessary.
