Newcastle set for two late deals from PL rivals, players to arrive before next weekend – report
By Harry Sykes
Newcastle are currently in talks with two Premier League clubs and want to bring a striker and a goalkeeper to St James’ Park ahead of the new Premier League season, according to a report.
The Chronicle claim that the Magpies are currently working on the double deal and have made a “solid bid” for Stoke’s striker Joselu but are yet to agree a price for the Spanish forward.
Benitez needs extra cover with Dwight Gayle, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Manu Riviere his only out and out attackers.
The other player is understood to be West Ham’s goalkeeper Adrian, who is looking for a move after the Hammers brought in Joe Hart.
Joselu spent last season on-loan at Deportivo La Coruna where he scored five goals in 20 La Liga games and added another in four Copa del Rey appearances.
It was a similar story the season before when Joselu made 22 Premier League appearances for Stoke, returning just four goals.
It’s a similar return that current striker Aleksandar Mitrovic bagged in the Championship last season (four goals from 25 games), and Magpies fans will be wondering whether it’s worth losing the Serbian for Joselu.
Football Insider verdict:
Newcastle fans will be pleased to hear that Rafa Benitez is still hard at work attracting new players to the club ahead of the Premier League opening weekend, although they might have been hoping for a more potent attacker than Joselu.
He did manage to get himself goals in La Liga so he’s proved that he can compete at the top level but Newcastle will need more goals than he can provide if they want to stay in the Premier League.
On the other hand, Adrian would be a fine bit of business and the current West Ham keeper would slot straight into the Newcastle first XI.
In other Newcastle United transfer news, the club have agreed the terms of a defender transfer as their whirlwind of activity continues.
We’ve launched a << BREAKING NEWS FEED>> exclusively for your club. ‘Like Us’ on Facebook by clicking here if you want 24/7 updates on all Newcastle United breaking news.