Newcastle target Radu Dragusin is attracting further Premier League interest, with Crystal Palace reportedly joining the transfer race.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport [via Sportslens], both Premier League clubs are circling for the Juventus centre-back’s signature.
At just 19 years old, the Romanian youth international has broken into a competitive Juventus side which boasts the likes of Merih Demiral, Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini and Mathijs de Ligt among their ranks. However, despite his relative surge into Andrea Pirlo’s first team plans, the youngster may opt against prolonging his stay in search of regular senior football.
The Romanian youngster is out of contract in the summer, and both Newcastle and Crystal Palace have relatively ageing squads – especially where centre-backs are concerned.
Dragusin would prefer to remain at Juventus but is awaiting a clear development path into regular senior football before he extends his stay in Turin.
Crystal Palace have the likes of Gary Cahill and Scott Dann as just two of their own defenders out of contract in the summer. With both men well over the age of 33, Dragusin could be a cheap rejuvenating option at Palace, and could have a similar impact in shaking up the Newcastle squad.
Read Newcastle Verdict
Young and soon to be out of contract, Dragusin could represent a cheap defensive signing who retains significant potential to improve.
Given his availability for a mere compensatory fee in the summer, there is little risk in taking a chance on him. Were he to struggle or to not immediately impact first team plans, he could be loaned out to develop in more suitable leagues.
Both Newcastle and Palace are second-choice options however. A deal could hinge on how viable Dragusin feels his Juventus future could be.
