Newcastle line up £4.5m offer for 27-year-old attacking midfielder – report

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Published on:

24 Aug 2016, 5:32 pm

By Tom Blackburn

Newcastle are interested in offering Romain Alessandrini an escape from Marseille this summer, according to a report.

French outlet Foot Mercato claim that Newcastle have spoken to Marseille and have said they are willing to spend £4.5million on the attacking midfielder.

The 27-year-old is no longer wanted by Marseille and Newcastle are looking to take advantage of the closing transfer window.

The report claims that Alessandrini was close to joining Lazio and Olympiakos this summer, and it is unknown if he would be willing to drop down to England's second tier.

Alessandrini signed for the French side from Rennes in 2014 for £4million and has played 57 games scoring 11 times.

At Rennes the midfielder was a key member of the side, and in two seasons he scored 20 times from midfield in 60 appearances.

Until 2012 he played in the French second division, firstly with Gueugnon which is where he started his career, and then from 2010 to 2012 with Clermont.

Newcastle have had an active summer following their Premier League relegation, and boss Rafa Benitez has spent big as the club look to return to the top flight.

Benitez has brought in Premier League stars Matt Ritchie and Dwight Gayle for around £10million each, goalkeeper Matz Sels, centre-back Grant Hanley, right-back Jesus Gamez, and midfield enforcer Isaac Hayden.

In other Newcastle transfer news, Arsenal join the chase for their international.

Newcastle United