Newcastle to trigger release clause of 16-goal Spain striker - report

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Published on:

16 Jun 2016, 4:10 pm

By Spain correspondent Miguel de Souza

Newcastle are interested in triggering the £2.4million release clause of Spain-based striker Jose Naranjo, according to a report.

Sky Sports, citing Spanish radio station Cadena Ser, claim fellow Spaniard Rafa Benitez is keen on signing the 21-year-old this summer.

Naranjo had a prolific season in 2015-16, scoring 16 goals and supplying five assists in 38 matches for second-tier side Gimnastic de Tarragona.

The Spaniard's prolific forward play was integral to Gimnastic finishing third in the Segunda table.

It is reported Naranjo has a £2.38million release clause in the deal he signed when joining from Recreativo in 2015, a fee well within Newcastle's summer budget.

Naranjo has two years remaining on the contract that he signed 12 months ago.

Benitez is set to overhaul the Magpies playing squad during the summer transfer window.

He has claimed that he does not have to sell any of the team's key players but it is expected that the likes of Moussa Sissoko, Georginio Wijnaldum and Tim Krul will leave the club, while Andros Townsend is mulling over a move to Crystal Palace.

In other Newcastle news, French giants Marseille are targeting their third Newcastle midfielder.

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