Newcastle United looking to beat AS Roma to signing of £17m Belgium international forward

Paul Mitchell is continuing to draw up a list of players to approach in the summer as he looks to add some much-needed depth and quality to Newcastle United's ranks.

The Magpies are on course to qualify for the Champions League, although should they fall short of that, the club are guaranteed to be playing in Europe next season in the Europa Conference League thanks to winning the Carabao Cup.

Therefore, Newcastle need more squad depth to be able to compete on four fronts without the fear of exhausting the same starters.

There are positions of Newcastle's squad that are in desperate need of bodies with right-wing being the most obvious with only Jacob Murphy a recognised right-sided forward.

Newcastle and Nottingham Forest are looking at Alexis Saelemaekers

Newcastle aren't leaving any stone unturned in their pursuit of players who can take up that role and now a new name has appeared on the list in the form of AC Milan's Alexis Saelemaekers.

The 25-year-old Belgium international is currently on loan at AS Roma and doing very well with six goals and six assists in 29 outings this season.

However, as much as Roma would love to keep hold of Saelemaekers, they are refusing to pay his £17 million asking price according to Il Messaggero, who claim that Newcastle and Nottingham Forest are 'ready to invest'.

What are we even waiting for?

For a 25-year-old full Belgium international, £17 million seems like an absolute steal and if that's all it will take to bring Saelemaekers to the Premier League, then what are we waiting for?

If nothing else, it adds depth to a position in which we desperately need it, and at £17 million he'll have next to no pressure on him to make an impression.

On top of that, a quick look at where he's played for Roma this season shows that he's insanely versatile. He's played on both flanks as an attacking midfielder or regular midfielder, he's played at left-back and as a CAM and even a second striker.

There are bargains, and then there's Alexis Saelemaekers!