Newcastle United are interested in making a move for Bologna centre forward Mattia Destro, according to Calcio Mercato.
The Italian outlet claims that Rafael Benitez’s side are one of two teams looking at the 8-cap Italy international, along with Serie A side Sampdoria.
The Magpies have struggled for goals this campaign, with none of Joselu, Salomon Rondon, Yoshinori Muto or Ayoze Perez setting the Premier League on fire.
Destro was considered one of the upcoming frontmen in Italian football years ago but hasn’t quite managed to fulfil his potential in recent years.
OPINION
The timing of this one is a bit strange. Destro looked like a top class striker at one stage when he was coming through as a youngster and for a while at Roma. Since then he hasn’t been able to find top form for Bologna however, and scored only six goals last campaign. He’s registered no goals in six games this season and doesn’t seem like the same player that he used to be. It speaks to Newcastle’s desperation for goals that Benitez is seemingly willing to take a punt on Destro. The Italian has always been a talented player so if Benitez were able to rehabilitate the 27-year-old then Newcastle could be on to a winner, but it’s a big risk for a team that will likely be in a relegation battle this campaign. This one is high risk-high reward, so we’ll have to see if the Magpies build on their interest in the player come the winter transfer window.
