Premier League top-four hopefuls Newcastle United have reportedly expressed an interest in signing Serie A attacking stars Rafael Leao and Paulo Dybala ahead of the summer transfer window.
According to a report from Calciomercatoweb, Newcastle United have eyed up an audacious double swoop for Rafael Leao and Paulo Dybala. They are keeping tabs on the duo’s situations at Serie A clubs AC Milan and AS Roma, respectively, ahead of the summer transfer window.
Newcastle United have rekindled their unlikely top-four challenge with successive wins over Wolves and Nottingham Forest. The Magpies currently trail Tottenham by just two points with two games in hand. And Antonio Conte is reportedly going to be sacked.
With home games against fellow top-four rivals Manchester United, Tottenham, and Brighton still left to play before the end of the season, Newcastle’s top-four destiny lies in their own hands. Should they achieve the top four this season, that could prove to be a game changer for financial revenue and their ability to attract high-profile players to St. James’ Park.
The Magpies have already been able to attract some top-level players, including the likes of Kieran Trippier, Bruno Guimaraes, and Sven Botman. But things can get even more exciting on Tyneside in the coming months if they secure their Champions League ticket.
To ensure that Newcastle can rotate comfortably and put out a high-quality squad in all competitions next campaign, Howe could take advantage of the opportunity to acquire more talent in the summer transfer window. And according to CMW, they are eyeing a double raid on Serie A for two of their most high-profile talents, AS Roma’s Paulo Dybala, and Milan’s Rafael Leao.
Dybala, for one, only joined the Giallorossi last July as a free agent after his contract with Juventus expired. And he has enjoyed a productive season so far since joining Mourinho at Roma. The 2022 World Cup winner has scored 13 goals and eight assists from 29 appearances across all competitions this term, including three strikes during their Europa League campaign so far.
However, AS Roma are now concerned that Paulo Dybala will leave the Serie A side this summer in search of a better project, as his fine form at Roma has piqued the interests of a number of top clubs across Europe.
This is also because the Giallorossi agreed to include a bargain release clause for overseas clubs in his contract through to the summer of 2025, which means he could even move for just €12 million come the off-season, as per recent reports. As for Leao, the 2021/22 Serie A MVP has impressed in Italy once again this season, netting nine goals and providing ten assists for Milan.
The Portuguese international’s contract will expire in 2024. And AC Milan have been working on a renewal for quite some time, but could baulk at salary demands and the fact that the player wants them to pay the outstanding amount that he owes to Sporting CP for illegal contract termination.
With the Rossoneri’s top-four hopes also hanging by a thread, he may opt against penning a new deal in favour of a blockbuster move elsewhere. Newcastle United have already broken their club record by signing Isak last summer. Could they be about to go big again? Only time will tell.
