Reported wages of £100k a week: Why Newcastle must swoop in to steal proven PL goal machine
COMMENT By Will Butcher
Newcastle could take a big step towards Premier League safety next season with the signing of experienced goal machine Alvaro Negredo.
The 31-year-old forward is expected to leave La Liga outfit Valencia this summer after returning to the Spanish club following his season-long loan with Newcastle's local rivals Middlesbrough.
BBC journalist Pat Murphy revealed on his personal Twitter account that Wolves had no interest in Negredo, who is believed to be on a weekly wage of £100,000 a week.
Now, Newcastle could look to steal in and lure the Spain international to St. James' Park as Rafa Benitez looks to add players to his side capable of avoiding an instant return to the Championship.
Football Insider analyses just how Negredo could single-handedly keep the Toon afloat next season, if he becomes Benitez's third signing after Florian Lejeune and Christian Atsu.
Here are three reasons why, with doubts surrounding the future of one of Newcastle's current strikers:
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Proven Premier League goalscorer
Negredo has proved at both Manchester City and Middlesbrough that he is more than capable of finding the back of the net in the top flight of English football if he is given the service.
The former Sevilla captain has scored 18 top flight goals for both clubs as well as laying on nine assists, despite starting only 54 matches.
If he can replicate that ratio of one Premier League goal in three games while proving just as creative, Negredo could be the missing ingredient in Newcastle's survival pot.
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Spanish contingent
Negredo would hit the ground running at St. James' Park due to the number of Spaniards associated with the club.
Along with manager Benitez, you also have players Ayoze Perez and Jesus Gamez while both of the Toon's first-team coaches are also Spanish. New signing Lejeune has just joined from Spanish side Eibar, and he too can speak the language.
Able to form a close bond with those in and around the club, Negredo's performances would be strengthened due to his improved morale.
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Off to Lyon?
French football news website Foot Mercato claim the Toon are attempting to offload Aleksander Mitrovic to French giants Lyon, in a deal worth £16million.
With the former Anderlecht striker gone and Daryl Murphy unlikely to get a sniff which could also see him depart, the Toon are left with just Dwight Gayle.
Bringing Negredo to the north east would hugely improve the Toon squad, but it could also provide much needed cover.
In other Newcastle news, this 22-year-old winger is on the verge of securing a deal to the club.
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