Newcastle are looking to bring Roma forward Seydou Doumbia to St. James’ Park this summer, according to a reliable journalist.
Italian football correspondent Emanuele Giulianelli, who is a transfer expert, claimed on his personal Twitter account that the Toon are keen on the Ivory Coast speed machine, who spent last season on loan with Swiss giants FC Basel.
Newcastle are interested in Seydou Doumbia from Roma. The last year he has played on loan at Basel. #NUFC #Transfers
— Emanuele Giulianelli (@EmaGiulianelli) June 10, 2017
Doumbia played for Newcastle during the second half of the 2015-16 season on loan from Roma but was given little opportunity to save the Toon from relegation to the Championship, making just three senior appearances in black and white stripes.
The 29-year-old forward amassed a huge 21 goals in 34 league and cup appearances while on loan from Roma in Switzerland, as Basel strolled to the league title largely thanks to Doumbia’s goals.
A 35-time international, Doumbia’s form with Basel is said to have caught the eye of Toon boss Rafa Benitez, who could be looking to add fire power this summer following Newcastle’s promotion to the Premier League.
Newcastle currently have three strikers on the books in the north east, with top scorer Dwight Gayle considered at the top of the pecking order ahead of Aleksander Mitrovic and Daryl Murphy.
Doumbia could be added to that list of strikers by Benitez, if the Magpies can strike a deal with Italian giants Roma for the former CSKA Moscow forward.
It remains to be seen how much Roma would charge for Doumbia with his future in doubt at the Stadio Olimpico, as he has two years still remaining on his current contract with the managerless Serie A outfit.