Newcastle United are reportedly willing to make an offer for AS Roma’s 28-year-old French midfielder Jordan Veretout.
According to Footmercato, Newcastle United are exploring signing 28-year-old French midfielder Jordan Veretout from AS Roma, and they are prepared to make a sizeable offer in January.
Newcastle are ready to accelerate plans to bring in players in the January transfer window, having worked hard behind the scenes to sort out possible deals. The club finds itself in a tricky position on the Premier League table, and they are now looking to recruit players specifically to protect their status in the top flight.
While their cash-rich status has helped them get linked with many high-profile targets since October, Eddie Howe’s plan has become clear in recent weeks. Newcastle’s primary requirements are at least two defenders and a midfielder, while signing any creative player after that would be a bonus.
Newcastle are already in talks to sign Kieran Trippier from Atletico Madrid, and the transfer could happen in the early days of the January transfer window. Bringing in the English international could certainly boost their options at the back, but they will still want to sign a new centre-back.
Sven Botman is heavily linked with a move from LOSC Lille, with the club increasingly hopeful of completing the transfer. As far as midfield targets are concerned, several names have cropped up of late, with Newcastle’s wishlist growing by the day.
The latest name to feature is that of Jordan Veretout, who, despite having cemented his place in AS Roma’s midfield, could be tempted by an offer from the Magpies. Jose Mourinho considers him key to the season’s progress and might count on the 28-year-old staying put.
The French midfielder has made 18 appearances in Serie A this season, having played a key role in the limited progress the team has made under the Portuguese manager. With Roma close to signing Ainsley Maitland-Niles from Arsenal, the links over a departure for Veretout might get stronger in the coming days.
Despite having a contract with the Italian club until 2024, a significant offer from Newcastle could force Roma to rethink their stance about selling the 28-year-old.
The Magpies might be considering Veretout for his experience and the central role he tends to reprise. Newcastle are also keeping tabs on alternatives and have been linked with players such as Sheffield United’s Sander Berge, although it will take plenty of cash to sign the Norwegian from the Championship side.
However, as things stand, the links with Veretout could just be media-generated stories. But if the Magpies are anywhere near serious to sign the French international, it will take a significant offer to let Roma think of selling their influential midfielder, which could also cause a stir between the club and Mourinho.
