Newcastle United, currently facing a tough time under Eddie Howe, reportedly had their sporting director, Dan Ashworth, scout three players in a recent match as they seek January additions. The team suffered a 1-0 loss to Luton Town, marking their fifth defeat in six games across competitions.
Despite sitting seventh in the Premier League with 29 points from 18 matches, their season has been a mix of highs and lows after a stellar 2022/23 campaign. Injuries have contributed significantly to their recent slump. Howe acknowledged their subpar performance against Rob Edwards’ team but refused to make excuses, emphasizing the need to improve.
As they gear up to face Nottingham Forest on Boxing Day, Newcastle’s interest in potential signings has heightened amid their quest for a turnaround.
Dan Ashworth’s scouting mission…
According to Italian reporter Gianluca Di Marzio, Newcastle United sporting director Ashworth attended Salernitana’s 2-2 draw with AC Milan on Friday evening to take in the performances of Lorenzo Pirola, Lassana Coulibaly and Boulaye Dia.
| Pirola, Coulibaly and Dia’s match rating vs AC Milan (Sofascore) | ||
| Lorenzo Pirola | 7.6/10 | |
| Lassana Coulibaly | 6.9/10 | |
| Boulaye Dia | 6.3/10 | |
Di Marzio claims that Newcastle United are keen to recruit from Serie A once again following the initial impact of Sandro Tonali at the club before his ban for breaching gambling rules kicked in.
Pirola, a central defender, Coulibaly, a midfielder, and Dia, a central striker, are positions Newcastle could benefit from reinforcing due to significant absences in Howe’s team at St James’ Park. All three players have been regulars for struggling Italian top-tier teams this season.
Dia, particularly described as an “absolute monster” by journalist Jonas Adnan Giæver, stands out as a prime candidate. He boasts an impressive track record, scoring 20 goals and providing six assists in 47 appearances for Salernitana (Dia’s statistics sourced from Transfermarkt).
Newcastle seems inclined towards exploring the Italian market for potential signings, raising curiosity about whether they will pursue any of these players once the transfer window opens.
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