Newcastle handed Karl Etta Eyong boost as target makes intention clear
Newcastle United are reportedly interested in a move for Karl Etta Eyong, who is set for a move to the Premier League this summer.
Reports emerged in February linking the Magpies to the 22-year-old, who has scored seven La Liga goals this season.
Etta Eyong only joined Levante last season in a deal reportedly worth around £2.5million, after he had broken through at the youth level for Villarreal.
The Cameroon international's readiness for Premier League football is not yet clear, with Newcastle facing a striking decision this summer.
Will Osula has emerged as Eddie Howe's first-choice striker, while Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade find themselves out of favour up front.
Newcastle learn Karl Etta Eyong asking price as approaches revealed
Football Insider exclusively revealed last month that Newcastle are ready to sell Wissa this summer, after a disastrous season.
The 29-year-old arrived from Brentford in a deal worth around £55m last summer, and was expected to help replace the goal deficit left by Alexander Isak.
Injuries and failure to perform saw the striker return just three goals across all competitions in his opening season, with only one of those coming in the Premier League.
In fairness, Wissa's return was greeted largely by appearances off the bench, with Howe seeming incapable of playing both him and fellow big-money signing Woltemade in the same team.
There is more patience for the latter, who scored 12 goals across all competitions and is only 24, but Newcastle are in desperate need of a consistent supply of goals.
Luckily, Osula's emergence has sparked memories of a young Isak, and there is excitement surrounding the young forward.
The same could be said of Etta Eyong, if Newcastle go forward with his signing. According to Ben Jacobs, the 22-year-old is prioritising a move to England this summer, and has already received two proposals.
Levante accepted a bid worth around £26m from Russian club CSKA Moskow in January, but Etta Eyong declined the move.
What has Etta Eyong said on his future?
Etta Eyong's breakthrough onto the mainstage came at the start of the season, when he seemingly came out of nowhere to shock La Liga.
After just 10 league matches, the forward already had scored six goals and provided three assists, netting against Real Madrid in that time.
The 22-year-old's season slowed, but he remains a hugely exciting prospect. Asked about his future in November, he said: "For now, I have to keep going with Levante and we'll see what happens.
"I try not to look at my phone too much, because my friends keep calling to tell me all the rumours about my future. I tell them, 'I don't know anything, I was just playing PlayStation.'
"I'd much rather play Call of Duty, watch anime, or read history books than worry about speculation. If I'm going to take a big step, it'll only happen if I work really hard."