EXCLUSIVE: Newcastle tracking Fiorentina talent with summer exit on the cards

Newcastle United’s recruitment team holds an interest in Fiorentina youngster Michael Kayode.

The 20-year-old right-back is highly admired by club scouts and other European clubs and could be one to watch in the final five weeks of the summer transfer window.

With it emerging that Kieran Tripper is 'increasingly certain' to leave the club amid interest from Saudi Arabia, it opens the door for the arrival of another right-back and Kayode has been watched.

The Italian U21 international has broken into Fiorentina's first-team after developing in their Academy ranks and made 37 appearances for the Serie A side last season, with six of those coming in the Europa Conference League.

If Trippier were to depart this summer, it would leave Eddie Howe with just Emil Krafth and Harrison Ashby as backup options to Tino Livramento.

Livramento had a couple of injury issues last season and is being eased back into our pre-season schedule after following a tailored training plan. Krafth is out of contract next summer and Ashby is expected to be loaned out once again after a mixed spell at Swansea last season.

With Newcastle targeting a top quality right-winger and a right-centre-back, it remains to be seen if they will have the resources to bring in another right-back this window. A striker is another position to fill, especially if Wilson leaves or struggles to recovery quickly from a recent back injury, while midfield options could be explored with Lewis Miley injured, Elliot Anderson sold and Sean Longstaff's contract situation leaving lingering doubts about his future.

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