‘Not decided’: Fabrizio Romano says Newcastle are front of the line for 21-year-old defender

Fabrizio Romano has provided an update on Newcastle United target Radu Dragusin.

The 21-year-old Genoa defender has been consistently linked with Newcastle over the past few weeks and now Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Newcastle are the side who have scouted Radu Dragusin the most with several clubs looking at the Romanian centre-back.

Eddie Howe has been unable to select Sven Botman for the bulk of this season due to a knee injury, although he is expected back in training today.

Jamaal Lascelles has shocked everyone this season

Jamaal Lascelles has deputised better than anyone could have hoped for which has dampened the calls for a new centre-back slightly, but realistically Newcastle do still need to strengthen in that area, especially with a view to the future, so picking up such a highly regarded, young, defender makes perfect sense.

Fabrizo Romano has claimed via Caught Offside, that Manchester United are keen on Dragusin, but still believes it's Newcastle who lead the way, although no decision has been made yet.

“Man United have been scouting Drăgușin but they have never sent a proposal or started concrete negotiations with Genoa. From what I am told, Genoa have not been approached by Manchester United. There are also links to Arsenal but it is exactly the same, they are just sending scouts to watch the player.

“From what I am hearing, the club that has been scouting Drăgușin the most over recent weeks and months is Newcastle. Newcastle really appreciate the player but they have not decided yet what to do when it comes to making a bid for the Genoa centre-back.

January could be a hectic month for Dragusin

It's going to be quite the battle for Dragusin if all these interested parties are genuine.

Genoa have slapped a €30million (£26million) price tag on the defender, which given the hype surrounding him, doesn't seem like that much of an ask, even for a 21-year-old.

Hopefully, Newcastle will have the budget to spring for him in January as well as a couple of other desperately needed reinforcements, particularly in the centre-forward department.