JOSE MOURINHO wants to take Newcastle winger Allan Saint-Maximin to Italy as part of his Roma revolution, according to reports.
The former Chelsea, Man Utd and Tottenham boss will take over the sleeping Serie A giants in the summer.
It is understood Mourinho, 58, will be given a healthy transfer budget to get the Giallorossi into the Champions League.
And, according to Corriere della Sera, the Portuguese boss has identified the tricky Toon winger as a top target.
Saint-Maximin, 24, has arguably been Newcastle’s best player since joining the club for £16.5m in 2019.
His return to fitness in the second half of the season has seen Steve Bruce’s side comfortably avoid relegation from the Premier League, scoring three goals and providing five assists.
The Newcastle hierarchy will be fully aware of Saint-Maximin’s importance to the team and it’s highly unlikely they’ll sell him on the cheap.
The player still has FIVE years left on his existing deal at St James’ Park and has expressed his love for the region.
Speaking in 2020, Saint-Maximin said: “I’ve played for a lot of clubs – Monaco, Nice, in Germany, but Newcastle, I feel like it’s my home.”
FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE
WIN £50,000 with Dream Team Euros
Dream Team Euros is HERE!
The best fantasy football game to accompany Euro 2020 has arrived.
And you can play absolutely FREE for your chance to win the £50,000 jackpot.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR FREE!
Dream Team Euros
- £50,000 jackpot
- The best fantasy football game this summer
- Play in mini-leagues against your mates, colleagues, family members – and some hand-picked celebrities
- FREE to play
Reports suggest Mourinho will be given a £60m transfer warchest at Roma and it is likely he’ll need to spend every penny of that on the Newcastle star if he wishes to sign him.
The incoming manager has been linked with a number of players since he was announced as the Serie A club’s new coach.
It is believed a new goalkeeper is his priority and he’s been linked with Manchester United’s Sergio Romero, Borussia Monchengladbach’s Yann Sommer and 43-year-old Gianluigi Buffon.
Mourinho is also said to be interested in Wolves’ stopper Rui Patricio.
And Tottenham defender Eric Dier, who featured heavily under the Portuguese manager in north London, is said to be another potential signing.
Roma are currently seventh in Serie A and are set to finish more than 30 points behind champions Inter Milan.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
