Newcastle United have got their eyes on some major names, as Eddie Howe looks for a winger to take his attack to the next level.
The Magpies already have a top level goalscorer in Alexander Isak, who has been tipped to develop into a world class player by Henrik Larsson. And they have also got Anthony Gordon, who has taken his game to unimaginable heights since arriving from Everton.
Now Newcastle United want someone equally as impressive on the right, as they look for an upgrade on Miguel Almiron and Jacob Murphy.
That is where most of the summer transfer budget will go – especially if they land one of their top targets. Based on the names that Newcastle are looking out, it would appear that Toon officials are more than prepared to spend big.
Jarrod Bowen will cost a huge amount of money given his lengthy contract at West Ham, while Michael Olise has a £60million release clause built into his Crystal Palace deal.
Newcastle also interested in Nico Williams
Newcastle have also taken their search further afield, with the Athletic reporting that Athletic Bilbao star Nico Williams is on the Magpies’ radar. Williams is a long-term target for Newcastle, having also been considered before Anthony Gordon arrived.
He has a release clause in his contract that means he is available for £43million, but the big issue surrounds his wages. The 21-year-old, who is with Spain at Euro 2024, is looking to earn up to £300,000-a-week if he leaves Athletic Bilbao, which is almost double than what Newcastle currently pay their highest earner Bruno Guimaraes.
That presents Newcastle with an issue, but it is not the only problem with regards to signing Williams.
Williams eyeing a different move
While Newcastle are one of the clubs keen on Williams, HITC Football insider Graeme Bailey has told Geordie Boot Boys that the forward’s priority is a move to Barcelona.
“He’s completely got his eyes on Barcelona,” he said.
“That is where he wants to go. As we said previously, the Premier League clubs that have been in for him were shocked [at how much money he wants].
“With not being in Europe, these are the type of deals that Newcastle United are going to miss out on.
“The chance of getting a player like Williams to join Newcastle when you’re not in Europe, as a North East club as well, is so much more difficult.”
Tough to see who Newcastle are going to sign in attack
With massive wage demands and a desire to move to Barcelona, it looks like we will not be seeing Nico Williams arrive at St James’ Park.
And the same might go for Michael Olise, with Chelsea currently the favourites to sign him from Crystal Palace.
Elsewhere, West Ham will have no plans to sell Bowen, who has a contract at the London Stadium until 2030.
When you look at it like that, suddenly Newcastle’s shortlist of right wing targets becomes very short. Another player who has been linked is Pedro Neto, while Morgan Gibbs-White is also a target – although he is not an out-and-out right winger and prefers to play centrally.
Newcastle have ambitions to spend big on a winger this summer, but right now it feels like a lot of their targets, while very exciting, are sadly unattainable.
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