Ciro Immobile has once again demonstrated why Newcastle United were keen to sign him in the summer.
The 30-year-old was one of the Magpies' targets had the Saudi Arabian-backed takeover bid gone through in the summer.
Yet the takeover controversially dragged on, leaving Mike Ashley in charge for the summer.
That left Immobile at Lazio, who qualified for the Champions League last season.
Immobile started in Lazio's win over Borussia Dortmund and netted after just six minutes.
It was the Italian's first game in the Champions League in over five years, with his last goal coincidentally coming for Dortmund against Anderlecht.
Yet things could have been so different had the Magpies' takeover gone through, with the striker confirming in the summer that he had been approached about a move to St James's Park.
“During the period in which there was talk of the possible purchase of Newcastle by the Sheikh's fund, they called my agent, Alessandro Moggi,” Immobile told Italian publication Corriere dello Sport.
“Then the Premier League did not approve that proposal, or the fund withdrew, I don't remember well.
“I know they were also looking for an Italian coach, Massimiliano Allegri or Luciano Spalletti.”
Fabrizio Romano reported this week that Newcastle had offered the striker a five-year contract for €5.5m a season.
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So, with the takeover seemingly back on the cards, is there any hope of Immobile coming to Newcastle?
It seems unlikely.
In the same interview with Corriere dello Sport, Immobile reaffirmed his commitment to see his career out at Lazio after signing a new contract in August.
He said: “I intend to tie myself to Lazio forever. The renewal will be for three years, so the contract will expire in 2025 when I turn 35.
“Before I arrived at Lazio, contacts with Napoli were frequent, but for one reason or another, we never went any further.
“Naples is the city where I was born, I always follow Napoli with affection, but what Lazio has given me and is giving me is priceless.”
