OPINION
Rafa Benitez should forget about signing Hellas Verona midfielder Romulo but continue to use Italy as a scouting pool for future Newcastle talent.
Italian website Hellas News claim Romulo’s 2016-17 form has caught the eye of former Liverpool and Real Madrid boss Benitez, who is desperate to add to his squad in order to put up a fight against relegation next season.
Central midfield is an area that needs strengthening, with Jack Colback struggling to make any kind of positive impression last season alongside Jonjo Shelvey.
That leaves only the former Liverpool man and Isaac Hayden and bringing one or two new midfielders in will be key to providing Benitez with both cover and the quality required to remain in the Premier League.
This Is Futbol analyses three players from Italy’s top tier that would suit Newcastle’s midfield ahead of the 2017-18 campaign, instead of Serie B midfielder Romulo.
Here are those three players, including a Sassuolo midfielder that should form a reunion at St. James’ Park with Benitez: