Late on Thursday, there was a report in Italy that Newcastle United had been following Nicolo Zaniolo for a number of months and were interested in a January transfer.
Part of the report saw the journalist urge the Italian footballer to consider a move to the Magpies to get away from the local press, often keen to scrutinise everything the player does on and off the field.
The idea that Newcastle are after the 23-year-old is now being backed up by Calciomercato.it, although they aren’t so sure Zaniolo wants to move to England.
Even if they had, it appears English clubs would have faced some resistance from Zaniolo himself, because Calciomercato.it state the player has a ‘preference for a stay in Serie A’, whether it be with his currently club or another Italian side.
As for Newcastle in all this, they will need to either be rather persuasive to get Zaniolo to agree to a move to St James’ Park, or simply move onto other, more willing, targets.
