Respected journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed Newcastle contacted Lazio at the start of the summer regarding their prolific striker Ciro Immobile.
Romano claimed the Magpies offered the 30-year-old £5m per season over five years, in what would have been a huge piece of transfer business.
The Serie A club and the player both ‘decided to turn down the bid’, in favour of an extended contract at the Stadio Olimpico, leaving Steve Bruce instead turning his attention to Premier League a proven striker, Callum Wilson, who was duly signed from Bournemouth.
Romano, who is widely regarded as the man with his finger on the pulse of all transfer activity across Europe, especially in his native Italy, also stated that the player himself confirmed the Newcastle contact.
Immobile, was sublime last season for Lazio, scoring 36 goals in 39 league appearances.
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This news may come as a shock to Toon fans, who may be satisfied with the signing of Wilson and indeed the start the 28-year-old has made since joining the club.
Now, knowing contact was made over a man who has over 200 career goals, including one on Tuesday night against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, most of which have come at the top level, Toon fans would be forgiven for wondering what might’ve been.
Immobile who has been capped by Italy on 42 occasions, has never played in England and who knows, may never have found his feet at St James’ Park. Either way, Magpies fans will be left rueing never seeing the infamous Romano ‘here we go’ regarding this deal.
