Dean Huijsen sends one-word message to player who could be joining Newcastle
Newcastle United may have missed out on Dean Huijsen this summer, but could yet sign one of his international team-mates.
Eddie Howe‘s side are likely to avoid being hamstrung by PSR complaints this summer after they secured Champions League qualification on the final day of the Premier League season with a fifth-placed finish.
Newcastle‘s 1-0 loss to Everton still proved to be enough to ensure they finished in the top five ahead of Aston Villa on goal difference, and that will give Howe a boost in his efforts to retain several key players.
Alexander Isak is a target for several Premier League and European clubs this summer, but Arsenal and others now face an uphill task to sign the Sweden international with Newcastle bound for Europe’s elite.
However, with Callum Wilson set to be released at the end of this month as his contract at St. James’ Park expires, Newcastle will indeed be on the hunt for a new striker in order to supplement Isak up front.
Huijsen hails ‘brother’ Samu Aghehowa amid Newcastle links
With Isak likely to stay put at Champions League-bound Newcastle their pursuit of a striker is far less pressing than it could have been, but that won’t stop Howe’s efforts to strengthen his side in attack.
Liam Delap’s switch to Chelsea looks set to be announced at any time, and that could see Newcastle resume their interest in Porto frontman Samu Aghehowa after his breakthrough campaign in Portugal.
Football Insider revealed in March that Newcastle are well-placed to buy Aghehowa for a fee far less than his £82.5million release clause, and he could be the successor to Wilson in the number nine shirt.
Now a Spain international, Aghehowa was pictured training with Real Madrid-bound defender Dean Huijsen, who shared an image on his Instagram story (2 June) with the caption “mirmano”, meaning “brother”.
Aghehowa transfer to bolster Newcastle attack
Football Insider verdict
Newcastle were one of numerous clubs keen on Huijsen after his £50m Bournemouth release clause was unveiled, but soon fell behind Liverpool, Bayern Munich and ultimately Madrid in the race to sign him.
At the other end of the pitch, the Magpies will be in no mood to pay even close to the £82.5m clause in Aghehowa’s contract, after Porto beat Chelsea, RB Leipzig and Napoli to his signature last summer.
With Joao Pedro on the market on the market for a fee in the region of £70m, Aghehowa could prove to be a cheaper, albeit unproven alternative with age on his side and an eye on the Spain number nine shirt.