Mourinho 'looking to bring Newcastle's £40m-rated winger Saint-Maximin to Roma'

Jose Mourinho is reportedly keen to bring Newcastle winger Allan Saint-Maximin to Roma when he takes over this summer.

Earlier this month it was confirmed former Tottenham manager Mourinho will take over at the Stadio Olimpico from Paulo Fonseca this summer.

And according to Italian newspaper Corriera della Sera, Saint-Maximin is earmarked as one of his first potential signings in a squad refresh.

The Portuguese, 58, was sacked as Spurs boss in April but around a fortnight later it was revealed he would move to the Italian capital on a three-year contract.

French wideman Saint-Maximin has consistently impressed with his pace, trickery and creativity since joining the Magpies from French side Nice in August 2019.

The 24-year-old has had a stop-start season due to injury, scoring three goals and giving five assists in 23 Premier League games this campaign, but the Magpies are unbeaten in four matches since he returned from a groin problem.

That fine form led manager Steve Bruce to insist he was not for sale, but he admitted interest in the £40million-rated player was inevitable.

Mourinho previously praised Saint-Maximin in 2019 as he finalised a move from Nice.

He said: 'If I speak [about players] I think that their agents will be very happy.

'But for example, I like Allan Saint-Maximin, I like his speed.'

The former France U21 international - for whom Roma were in negotiations when he was at Saint-Etienne - warned in May that it is 'not good enough' for the club to be in relegation battles.