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Newcastle United have checked out Bologna star Mattia Destro over the weekend.

Reports in Italy say that United sent scouts attend Bologna’s clash with Pescara in Serie A on a day when Destro scored twice in a 3-1 win.

However, they face competition from Watford, with the Vicarage Road club also present in the stands to watch Roberto Donadoni’s team.

Right-footed Destro has now netted 11 goals in 30 appearances for Bologna this season and provided two assists.

The forward is rated at £7million and is under contract until 2020.

(Image: Getty Images)

The former AS Roma, Siena and Milan player has netted 59 goals in 124 starts in Italy.

Destro has been linked with Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur in the past but has not broken away from Serie A yet.

Rafa Benitez knows the Italian game extremely well after stints in Serie A with Inter Milan and Napoli.

He has kept his cards close to his chest on transfers so far this summer, but did say: “We have to make sure we make the right decisions.

“If we sign the players they must be the right ones.

“We must also keep the right players.

“Then we must create a team spirit that will sometimes allow you to compensate when it comes to the difference between some of the sides.”