Newcastle United wanted Sampdoria’s Dennis Praet in the summer and the potential takeover would make a deal look far more likely.
With most of Newcastle United’s Premier League rivals smashing their transfer record almost every transfer window at the moment, it speaks volumes about the stagnation that has taken place on Tyneside that Michael Owen remains the most expensive player in the club’s history.
Its 12 years since Newcastle paid Real Madrid £17 million for England’s number ten, per the BBC. Owen, however, endued a relentless series of injuries and managed just 71 Premier League appearances across four years at St James’ Park.
With owner Mike Ashley looking to sell the club after ten years consisting of two relegations, almost constant disappointment and an approach to the transfer market revolving more around profit than progress, Newcastle fans are hopeful that the long wait for a new record signing will soon come to an end.
Could Dennis Praet be the man to finally succeed Owen in Newcastle’s record books? Calciomercato report that the Sampdoria midfielder, who remains a target for The Magpies after they missed out in the summer, has a release clause in his contract worth around £18 million.
The clause kicks in at the end of the 2017/18 Serie A season – meaning it is unlikely the Belgian youngster will move to St James’ Park in January but could be up for grabs in the summer.
It is unknown who will finance a takeover, though The Chronicle report that Amanda Staveley wants a central role, but Newcastle fans can expect that their prospective new owners will provide the club with far more financial firepower.
And Praet, a highly talented 23-year-old midfielder renowned for his creativity and killer pass, could be the record-breaking signing that heralds a new era at Newcastle.
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