Newcastle United now looked to have pulled out of the race to sign a Barcelona star who they have been tracking for months now.
Eddie Howe is very keen to add to his attack this summer with a number of options being touted as possible replacements for Miguel Almiron who has struggled in the final third this season.
But, as SPORT reports, Newcastle are having some issues with financial fair play currently and it is the biggest reason as to why they are no longer looking to sign one of Barcelona’s attacking players.
Newcastle would struggle to afford £55m Barcelona man
Raphinha is very likely to be sold by Barcelona this summer who are claiming to have received a number of impressive offers for the former Leeds man, but Newcastle are unlikely to be his next destination.
Especially now with Sven Botman’s injury news, a new attacker has moved slightly lower down the list of priorities, and Raphinha certainly wouldn’t have come at a cheap price.
Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal are reportedly willing to make a bid for the ‘magic‘ attacker of around £85m, a fee that feels very much out of Newcastle’s price range this summer.
So, it feels like this deal is dead in the water at the minute, though should Newcastle move on some players this summer they may raise the funds to reignite their interest in the winger who has plenty of Premier League experience.
Newcastle need an Almiron replacement next season
Almiron has been way below standard this season after netting 11 times in the league last season, a feat which now looks to have been a bit of a purple patch given his latest struggles.
The Paraguayan has now played for Newcastle for over five years having signed in January 2019 and yet there’s been no serious improvements in his game, it is largely his work ethic and defensive determination that has kept him in Howe’s plans.
However, there needs to be a huge upgrade in that area if Newcastle are to have any hopes of returning to the Champions League in the near future, though they may have to look away from Barcelona to find the answer.
Whether they have the funds to find a star man to take over the role or if they look to promote someone from within like Yankuba Minteh who has impressed at Feyenoord remains to be seen.
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