Newcastle United are set to do battle with four other Premier League clubs for Argentine international midfielder Federico Mancuello, according to reports in Italy. Calciomercato claim an exclusive that the Magpies, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, West Bromwich Albion, West Ham United, Palermo and Sampdoria are all looking to recruit the 26-year-old. Mancuello was linked with a move to Palermo in May by the same publication in Italy, but nothing came to fruition so it is now claimed that Newcastle are among the sides chasing the midfielder. A playmaker with Independiente in his native Argentina, the 5ft 10in midfielder-cum-winger has been capped twice by his country - both times this year - scoring once against El Salvador in a friendly in March. Having risen through the ranks at the Primera Division club, Mancuello netted five times and contributed seven assists in 63 games after first breaking into the team in 2008. However, he was sent on loan to fellow Argentine side Belgrano for the season in 2011-12, netting just once in 22 appearances. After returning to Independiente, Mancuello's form immediately picked up again, with the midfielder netting 16 times and contributing 10 goals in 86 appearances since the beginning of the 2012-13 season. He also lifted the Copa Sudaamericana - the South American equivalent of the Europa League - with Independiente in 2010. For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow whatculture.com/NUFC on Twitter and Facebook.
NUFC editor for WhatCulture.com/NUFC. History graduate (University of Edinburgh) and NCTJ-trained journalist. I love sports, hopelessly following Newcastle United and Newcastle Falcons. My pastimes include watching and attending sports matches religiously, reading spy books and sampling ales.
