After dropping out of the race to sign Hugo Ekitike, Newcastle United have reportedly been handed a much-needed transfer boost in pursuit of another summer target.
Newcastle commence search for Ekitike alternative
Reports earlier this summer suggested that the Magpies were interested in signing Joao Pedro from Brighton & Hove Albion before he eventually chose Chelsea.
They then revealed Newcastle’s interest in Ekitike – even going as far as to suggest that those at St James’ Park had already submitted a £60m+ bid for his signature. Like Chelsea, however, Liverpool soon came calling and Newcastle have since dropped out of the race to sign the Eintracht Frankfurt man.
Back to square one, PIF’s search for a striker is now set to continue with names such as Yoane Wissa and even Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez already mentioned as potential options.
Wissa seems to be a particularly prominent target after the Ekitike saga and that should come as little surprise. The Brentford man outscored the Frenchman in league action last season and is already Premier League-proven. Alongside Alexander Isak, he could form a partnership just as impressive, if not better, than his link-up with Bryan Mbuemo in West London.
Starts
34
31
Goals
19
15
Assists
4
8
Expected Goals
18.5
21.6
What instantly stands out when the two are compared is just how clinical Wissa was in front of goal last season, outperforming his expected goals. Ekitike, meanwhile, underperformed by over six goals.
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On paper, Newcastle could sign the better goalscorer. But even then, those at St James’ Park may not be done with their spending. Reports are now indicating that they’ve been handed a much-needed boost in pursuit of another target, who is represented by the same agent as Dan Burn.
Conor Gallagher "very much open" to Newcastle move
According to former Manchester United scout Mick Brown, who remains connected in the Premier League, Conor Gallagher is now “very much open” to moving to Newcastle this summer and leaving La Liga giants Atletico Madrid.
As ever this summer, the deal won’t come cheap, but it’s one that Newcastle should consider pursuing ahead of next season. Despite earning the praise of Diego Simeone, who described him as “intense”, Gallagher could yet be on his way back to the Premier League in a £50m deal just one year after leaving Chelsea.
Brown told Football Insider: “Gallagher would be very much interested in a return to England. Everything being equal, if he had the chance to join Newcastle this summer, I believe he would do.
“Things don’t quite seem to have clicked for him in Spain, even though they rate him highly over there and the manager like what he brings. He’ll have one eye on the World Cup next year and he knows he has to play regularly to get into that England squad, but he’s not doing that at Atletico.”
