Newcastle United have been in close pursuit of Juventus striker Moise Kean over recent months with a number of scouting missions as the Italian giants green light his loan exit, according to the Chronicle.
The newspaper claim on their website’s live blog (22/01, 09:58) that the Magpies have been watching the progress of the one-cap Italy international closely and he has now been given the go ahead to leave Turin on loan.
It is stated that the 18-year-old, who has four senior appearances this season, is a much wanted man in Italy, with Chievo and Genoa said to have launched loan bids for his capture.
Good move for Newcastle?
He might be an exciting talent but what is he really going to bring to St James’ Park?
Salomon Rondon is the first choice striker and the way in which he leads the line as well as scoring goals means that he should remain up front in the starting XI for the rest of the season.
Kean relies on his pace more than his Venezuelan counterpart and while that would be good when a difference is needed, he lacks the experience to really make the desired impact.
Newcastle need improvements up front but really the problems lie out wide and there is no point bringing in an 18-year-old only to improve him for another team.
Not the move Newcastle need right now.
This is Futbol rating: 4/10
Likely to happen?
If Newcastle were to promise regular game time in the Premier League, he would be theirs.
Juventus want him to be developing at as high a level as possible and there are few more competitive divisions in Europe as the English top flight.
He is not going to be promised that action though and so Juve are likely to send him somewhere where he can play on a regular basis, even if it means sacrificing the quality of opposition.
This is Futbol rating: 3/10