In a recent report, Tuttomercatoweb revealed that Newcastle United have identified Galatasaray playmaker Nicolo Zaniolo as a target for this ongoing transfer window. It has been stated that the Magpies are eyeing a move to sign the Italy international this summer.
Zaniolo’s Good Form In Turkish Football Last Season
The 23-year-old established himself as a decent performer for the Turkish club in the previous campaign when he produced a handful of impressive displays for them in the final third. Zaniolo scored seven goals and picked up four assists in 28 matches for his current employers last season across multiple competitions.
The Italian sensation was a positive influence for his team in the opponent’s half as he averaged 2.2 shots and 0.7 dribbles per game in the Turkish Super Lig. However, he has to find a way to distribute the ball a bit better based on his pass success rate of 73.7% in the Turkish first division (stats via whoscored).
Zaniolo is under contract at Galatasaray until the summer of 2027. Therefore, it won’t be easy for the Magpies to land him on the cheap during this transfer window.
Should Newcastle United Head Coach Eddie Howe Get Zaniolo On Board?
Zaniolo is proficient at finding a yard of space for himself to get some strikes in at goal. He can shoot the ball well from long range and can make a few decent runs with the ball in the final third.
However, as mentioned earlier, the Italian talent has to find a way to improve his link-up play up top. He is primarily an attacking midfielder but can also serve as a secondary striker or as a right-winger if asked to do so.
Zaniolo will bring more quality to Newcastle‘s frontline and would give Eddie Howe more options on the attacking end of the pitch. At 24, his peak years are ahead of him, so the Magpies would be wise to engineer a move to get Zaniolo on board ahead of the new campaign. However, it remains to be seen whether he can adapt to the physical side and high intensity of Premier League football if Howe manages to sign him this summer.
