Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United are reportedly keen on West Brom’s Oliver Burke.
Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United would clearly be paying for potential if they sign Oliver Burke in the January transfer window.
The Sun (14 October, page 61) reports that both Spurs and Newcastle have been scouting Scotland winger who, at the age of 21, has already cost £28 million in transfer fees paid by RB Leipzig and West Brom.
But despite Burke’s undoubted natural talent, the former Nottingham Forest youngster has struggled to live up to expectations of late. He has started just seven league games for Leipzig and West Brom since the start of 2016/17, playing 14 minutes of Championship football this season with most of his action coming for the U23s.
Though should Newcastle or Tottenham convince The Baggies to sell, they would have a player with real pace, power and the potential to get fans off their seats.
But who is most likely to win the race? Well, The Sun adds that West Brom want to recoup the £15 million they paid for Burke in 2017 – which gives Spurs a clear advantage over Newcastle for obvious reasons.
Magpies boss Rafa Benitez has barely been given two pennies to rub together in the transfer market of late and, with other positions in need of strengthening, it seems unlikely that they would splurge £15 million on an out-of-favour Championship player.
By contrast, £15 million is a relative drop in the ocean for Tottenham – making Burke a risk potentially worth taking.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
