Genoa defender Radu Dragusin has reportedly attracted interest from a trio of Premier League clubs ahead of the January transfer window.
Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton & Hove Albion are all believed to be scouting the 21-year-old, who is a regular for both club and country.
After loan spells with Sampdoria and Salernitana in Serie A, Dragusin chose to move down to Serie B and cross the Ligurian city's divide to join Genoa.
Having been an ever-present figure in Genoa's run to automatic promotion last season, conceding just 28 goals in 38 games, Dragusin joined for €5.5m (£4.8m) on a permanent deal from Juventus over the summer.
Dragusin has continued to impress at the back for Genoa and scored the only goal in their 1-0 win over Hellas Verona shortly before the international break.
Performances at club level have now seen Dragusin nail down a place as a regular for the Romanian national side too, as he has played in all eight Euro 2024 qualifiers so far.
TuttoMercato claim that the three clubs are observing the player, who Genoa value at €30m (£26.25m).
Talks are said to be ongoing regarding extending Dragusin's contract, as he has become a pivotal part of Alberto Gilardino's plans, but the report states that he will be allowed to leave should that valuation be met.
Recent injuries to central defensive pair Sven Botman and Fabian Schar have alerted Newcastle to strengthen their squad in the new year.
Dan Burn and Matt Targett are also out longer term, so Eddie Howe is set to receive significant backing to bolster his defence.
The Magpies have also dipped into the Italian market recently, spending £70m on AC Milan's Sandro Tonali over the summer.
Spurs are also set to enter the market for a defender following the hamstring injury sustained by Micky van de Ven against Chelsea earlier this month.
Eric Dier has since come into the side with Cristian Romero also out suspended, but the long-serving defender could be on his way out in January, meaning that Spurs will need to find a replacement.
Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi may also have closely watched Dragusin playing in his homeland, and with recent issues surrounding Lewis Dunk's fitness, the Seagulls could splash out on a new defender in January. body check tags ::
