Italian media claims Newcastle United and Sunderland could battle it out for signature of Lazio star

Get your sodium chloride at the ready because this story requires a hefty pinch of salt as Newcastle United and Sunderland are linked with the same player.

It’s hard to imagine a world where a player deemed good enough for Newcastle would be a genuine target for Sunderland, but an Italian outlet has put the bitter rivals together in their latest transfer article.

Il Messaggero are claiming that Newcastle, Aston Villa and Sunderland are all keen on Lazio midfielder Matteo Guendouzi.

It’s not the first time the Sideshow Bob cosplayer has been linked with Newcastle, but we never bought into the idea then, and we still don’t now.

Newcastle have once again been linked with a move for Matteo Guendouzi

Newcastle were reportedly keen on Guendouzi last year, and then reports surfaced again earlier this year claiming Eddie Howe still fancied the France international.

Guendouzi is no stranger to the Premier League, having made over 50 appearances for Arsenal, but the midfielder never seems to stay in one place for very long having been loaned out several times throughout his career.

Lazio reportedly don’t want to lose Guendouzi, which we guess is a good sign that he’s got something to offer, but a central midfielder just doesn’t seem like a likely transfer move for Newcastle this summer.

Sunderland and Newcastle linked with the same player? Nah

With only minor disrespect intended, if Sunderland feels they have a realistic chance of signing him, we shouldn’t even be looking his way, although Sunderland’s name likely appeared in the report, given the fact that Guendouzi played under Regis Le Bris at Lorient.

It definitely feels like a case of Newcastle being used to drum up attention and add legitimacy to a story, as we so often are.

We don’t feel there’s anything in this one at all, and it’s just Italian media using Premier League sides to create interest in a player.