Newcastle United should test Aston Villa’s resolve with a bid for the striker this summer.
Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez has a lot of work to do at St James’ Park this summer, if he is to build a squad who are capable of improving upon their 10th placed finish in the Premier League table last season.
One particular area where the Spaniard will want to improve is his centre-forward department, especially with the Daily Mail reporting that Dwight Gayle could be sold this summer.
With this in mind, the Magpies should consider a move for Aston Villa hitman Jonathan Kodjia, who could be sold this summer due to the west Midlands club’s financial plight, according to the Telegraph.
The 28-year-old moved to Villa Park from Bristol City in the summer of 2016, for a fee that could rise to £15 million, according to BBC Sport, but his time with Villa has been hampered by a serious ankle injury that he suffered last year.
He is still a top class performer, though, and has a fairly impressive goalscoring record since moving to England in the summer of 2015, chalking up 39 goals in 106 combined appearances for Villa and Bristol City.
Kodjia would be a smart signing for Newcastle, and could act as a fantastic focal point for them to build their attacking play through.
With Villa in such desperate need of funds, selling the Ivorian to Newcastle would also be of benefit to them, and a transfer could be the ideal solution for all parties involved.
At 28, the Villa hitman is entering his prime years as a striker, and if Rafa manages to bring him to Tyneside, it could turn out to be a signing of real significance for the Magpies.
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