It seems Serie A club Torino is known to England for more than two reasons- Joe Hart and Andre Belotti. If reports are to be believed, then Newcastle United have now come closer than ever to signing the Italian side’s midfielder Afriyie Acquah as the player has revealed his move to England is near.
The Magpies have apparently been keen on bringing him to St. James’ Park for some time now, but a move couldn’t materialise. His move was supposed to be completed earlier this summer as per The Chronicle, but after many delays, it is en route to getting done.
The Ghanaian international is currently on international duty and in an interview with GhanaWeb.com, confirmed that a move to England is 90% complete. “Yes, it is very likely I will be moving to England… It is 90% complete, but we are still talking, once we finish, I am sure an announcement will be made.”
Newcastle United are expecting a busy summer ahead of next season as Rafael Benitez screens through the options of which areas he needs improving. While in Jonjo Shelvey, Jack Colback, Isaac Hayden and Mohamed Diame, Benitez does have a balanced core of midfielders, Acquah’s phenomenal work rate could be just what the Magpies need next season.
Newcastle have already secured the signing of one Ghanaian international Christian Atsu from Chelsea, and another is on the way. The 25-year-old midfielder seems to be at the peak of his career and his displays in Serie A has proved it. He is widely regarded as the engine of Torino’s whole team.
Although he could manage only two goals last season, he completed 470 passes with a decent accuracy of 83%, out which 84% were in the attacking third. He would bring the much-needed vitality in Newcastle’s midfield, which has essentially been seen in the likes of Idrissa Gueye for Everton and N’Golo Kante for Chelsea.
An academy product of Ghana side DC United Agogo, the player was picked up quite early in his career by Serie A side Palermo. He broke into the first team back in 2011, which was soon followed by a loan stint to Parma. He managed to impress at the top level and Bundesliga side TSG Hoffenheim came calling in 2013.
But he was only 21, and he was further loaned off to Parma and then Sampdoria for more experience. He returned to Hoffenheim in 2015 and Torino bought him then. He has played over 50 times for them since then, scoring and assisting five times.
