Fulham and Newcastle chasing ex AC Milan capitain on e free transfer

Fulham reportedly have just 48 hours left to complete the signing of rumoured Newcastle United target Alessio Romagnoli before Lazio make their first move to sign the former AC Milan defender.

According to journalist Alfredo Pedulla, the Serie A side will launch their first offer to sign the Italian international if Fulham continue to stall with their attempt for Romagnoli, who is currently a free agent after seeing his contract with the Italian champions come to an end earlier this week.

Romagnoli was key member of Milan’s rebuild over the years and is regarded by many as one of Italy’s best centre-backs, which is why the likes of the Cottagers and Newcastle are all reportedly interested in signing the former AS Roma star for free this summer.

Signed by Milan for £20m, Romagnoli is arguably one of the best free agents available on the market this summer, with Lazio now eyeing a move for the 27-year-old defender if Fulham are unable to sign the defender in the coming days, with the centre-back already reportedly rejecting an approach from the Cottagers.

Indeed, signing Romagnoli would be a huge coup for Fulham given how likely their relegation back down the Championship is next season, and the defender’s stalling could well open the door for the likes of Lazio and Newcastle make an offer for the centre-back that would be enticing for the former Rossoneri star.

Fulham have lofty ambitions for next season following their biannual return to Premier League, yet even for Marco Silva’s standards, signing Romagnoli seems like nothing more than a pipe dream for the west London side, who will seemingly miss out on the Italian.

After all, Romagnoli is just coming off the back of captaining Milan to their first Serie A title in over ten years, and the centre-back will likely not want his next career move to be potentially fighting relegation in the Premier League with a side whose track record is as bad as Fulham’s.