Newcastle United are plotting a swoop for AC Monza goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio in the ongoing January transfer window.
The Magpies have endured a tough last couple of months, and Eddie Howe wants to bring an end to their struggles by signing players who can lift the squad for the second half of the season. One of the prime reasons for the club’s struggles in the current campaign has been the number of injuries they have suffered, while suspensions have also hampered Eddie Howe’s side.
One of Newcastle United’s priorities in this winter window is to reinforce their goalkeeping department. Nick Pope dislocated his shoulder in Newcastle’s 1-0 win over Manchester United at St James’ Park last month and has been ruled out for the next four months. This has left Eddie Howe to rely on Martin Dubravka to fill in between the sticks, but the Slovakian has been far from convincing even though he saved the club an embarrassment during the 4-2 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield on New Year’s Day.
As a result, Newcastle do need a reliable No.1 to deputise for the injured Pope. In that regard, the Toon Army have reportedly set their sights on AC Monza goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio.
Di Gregorio, 25, have been drawing a lot of interest following his strong displays for AC Monza this season. But Monza have already communicated to all interested parties that their Italian shot-stopper will not be departing this month.
Michele Di Gregorio on Newcastle United’s radar
The widespread interest in Michele Di Gregorio is not surprising at all. A youth product of the Inter Milan academy, Di Gregorio left the Nerazzurri to join AC Monza permanently last summer. He now has more than a full season in Italy’s top-flight football under his belt, with the 26-year-old’s solid performances keeping Monza in a comfortable position on the table.
The Italian shot-stopper has featured in 17 out of 18 Serie A games for Monza so far this season, conceding only 17 goals while keeping six clean sheets in the process. Clubs like AS Roma, Napoli and Fiorentina are keen on his services, while boyhood club Inter continue monitoring the 26-year-old’s performances.
Newcastle are the only English club to have expressed an interest in signing Di Gregorio for now. Eddie Howe wants a new goalkeeper despite having Martin Dubravka and Loris Karius as back-up options in his squad. He isn’t quite convinced with Dubravka’s displays and feels the signing of a new goalkeeper—rumoured to be Di Gregorio—could boost the team.
While Newcastle are interested in acquiring Di Gregorio’s signature, Monza are not ready to sell their No.1 in this transfer window. So, it remains to be seen whether the Tyneside-based club can convince Monza to part ways with the highly-rated Di Gregorio.
I am Rohan Sengupta from one of the busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a keen interest in sports, football is something I simply cannot live without and writing, discussing and analyzing the game is what I do 24*7.
