Newcastle executives appear to be warming to the idea of losing United captain Jamaal Lascelles this summer, as Calciomercato understand the Magpies are interested in signing Genoa CFC centre-back Davide Biraschi.
The former Italy U21 international is arguably the Stadio Luigi Ferraris native’s most sought-after asset at the moment, with the Italian football news site noting that Everton are also interested in the 25-year-old’s availability.
As are Genoa’s Serie A rivals Atalanta BC and SS Lazio, with Simone Inzaghi’s Rome outfit thought to have recently stepped up their pursuit of the 5 ft 8 defender, with Sporting Director Igli Tare keen to add Biraschi to his manager’s ranks.
Genoa President Enrico Preziosi is said to have placed just a €10million (£8.9m) asking price on the former US Avellino 1912 and US Grosseto 1912 defender, who excelled in the recent Italian domestic season with 75 tackles, 64 interceptions, and 113 aerial duels to his name.
Lazio ramping up their pursuit for Biraschi could be music to our ears, though, as it was the Stadio Olimpico natives who were thought to be interested in Lascelles.
The Derby-born ace emerged as a potential target for Lazio in June, when reports surfaced in Italy hinting at a potential €14million (£12.5m) swoop by their Sporting Director Tare, after he scouted England in search of his side’s new centre-back and put Lascelles and Arsenal’s Callum Chambers near the top of his list.
An offer in that region would be fairly low compared to his true worth to us, and that he has five years remaining on his United contract, but every player seems to have their price at the moment.
Losing our 6 ft 1 captain would be horrific on the back of Rafa Benitez and Ayoze Perez, and with pre-season training now underway without a manager at the helm, it would be the latest nail hammered into the coffin of our Premier League ambitions.
Biraschi could save some of the doom and gloom from building on Tyneside, but the club would be better served letting Lazio win that race if it means retaining Lascelles. Although, retaining Lascelles and signing Biraschi would help to bring some optimism back to St James’.