Newcastle eyeing move for Serie A star
PIF have plenty of decisions to make this summer. For the first time in his Newcastle career, the pressure is heating on Howe following defeats against Barcelona and Sunderland in the same week.
The Magpies now sit below their rivals in the Premier League to sum up what has been a disastrous season one year on from winning the Carabao Cup and qualifying for the Champions League.
Names like Roberto De Zerbi have been mentioned as potential candidates to replace the 48-year-old, but it remains to be seen whether those at St James’ Park decide to pull the trigger.
The former Marseille boss is currently a free agent and is actively ruling out a move to Tottenham Hotspur until their relegation fight reaches a conclusion this summer. That should leave the door ajar for Newcastle to make an early move.
The Italian is certainly familiar with the Premier League, too. He took Brighton & Hove Albion from a mid-table club into European football and did so by playing the type of football that would get Newcastle fans onside instantly.
| De Zerbi PL record | |
|---|---|
| Games | 70 |
| Wins | 26 |
| Draws | 19 |
| Defeats | 25 |
The biggest concern for Newcastle will be whether De Zerbi’s style has a place in the more robust version of the Premier League which has been on show this season.
The Italian’s influence began to wilt at the end of his Brighton spell, and there remain question marks about whether he would be an instant upgrade on Howe.
Instead, the Magpies could focus on getting their recruitment back on track after a woeful 12 months, and that could see one much-needed defender arrive.
According to Sports Boom, Newcastle are now eyeing a move to sign Alessandro Buongiorno to replace Sven Botman, despite Howe’s direct request to keep hold of the Dutchman.
Newcastle want Buongiorno to replace Botman
Not even PIF can deny Botman’s ability, but it’s his availability that they may have an issue with. The central defender suffered yet another injury against Sunderland and requires surgery on a facial fracture – sidelining him for several weeks.
It comes at the most frustrating time for Newcastle, who are desperate to turn things around. Alas, it’s not the first time that the Dutchman has suffered an ill-timed injury. In fact, he’s already missed 11 games in the current campaign after missing 12 in the 24/25 season.
🇳🇱 Sven Botman has had surgery on a facial fracture which he got during the Derby.
The club have confirmed he will not be missing for an extended period.#NUFC pic.twitter.com/FWAYNaEFkq
— NUFC360 (@NUFC360) March 23, 2026
The Sunderland injury looks to be the final straw for Newcastle even if Howe feels differently. Buongiorno is not a bad replacement to turn to, either.
The Napoli defender is a full international with Italy, shares an agent with Sandro Tonali, and is at the peak of his powers at 26 years old. If he is available this summer, then Newcastle should go all in.
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