Who is Alessio Romagnoli? Profiling Milan defender after Newcastle United transfer link

AC Milan defender, Alessio Romagnoli has been linked to Newcastle United as the Magpies are said to be one of several teams seeking to sign the Italian, who will be available on a free in the summer. It is well known that despite the upturn in the form of Eddie Howe's defence since the arrival of Dan Burn in January, the club still want to bring in more quality in the centre of defence in order to climb the Premier League table next season.

According to reports in Italy, Romagnoli is attracting interest from several teams and if the Magpies are serious about the defender, they will have to fend off Juventus and Sevilla to attract him to St James' Park. Milan are also said to have made an offer to extend the contract of their captain, but he has yet to take them up on that offer.

For those who are unaware of Romagnoli before this story broke, Chronicle Live has the low down on the player:

Romagnoli is a 27-year-old centre back. He has been captain of AC Milan since 2018, when he took on the role following Leonardo Bonucci's move to Juventus.

He has won 12 caps for the Italian national team but has often had to be content with a backup role behind Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini. His only trophy win came in 16/17 when he won the Italian Super Cup with Milan. He has captained Milan through a tough period, where they have been outside the Champions League places until they returned to the competition this season, following a second place finish in 20/21. He may earn a Serie winners' medal this season, as his side are currently first in the division.

The Italian has spent his whole career in Serie A. He began his career at Roma but he couldn't make a position his own there and was thus loaned to Sampdoria in 14/15. After one