Newcastle United’s head of recruitment will watch Besiktas’ Champions League clash with Porto as The Magpies step up their pursuit of Cenk Tosun.
Newcastle United’s links with Besiktas striker Cenk Tosun just won’t go away. Since The Magpies made an £11 million bid on the final day of the summer transfer window, the Turkish international has been relentlessly tipped to make a move to Tyneside either in January or at the end of the season.
And NTV Spor is now reporting that Newcastle are set to step up their interest with head of recruitment Steve Nickson due to watch Tosun in person during Besiktas next two games, including the midweek Champions League clash with Porto.
Tosun, who scored 41 goals in the last two seasons combined to inspire the Istanbul giants to successive Super Lig titles, is understood to be valued at £18 million, per The Mail.
But there may be another striker on show at the Vodafone Arena on Tuesday night that could catch Newcastle’s eye.
Mighty Moussa
Malian frontman Moussa Marega is set to line up in opposition to Tosun in Turkey. And if he can maintain his recent form, there is no reason why Porto cannot spring a surprise and condemn Besiktas to their first defeat in the 2017/18 Champions League group stage.
Marega has eight goals in nine Primeira Liga starts for Porto this season – showing that his impressive tally of 13 in 23 on loan at Vitoria Guimaraes last season was not just a flash in the pan.
And while the 26-year-old is yet to score in Europe this season, his pace and direct approach has caused no end of problems. Last season’s semi-finalists Monaco struggled in particular against the dynamic Marega, who set up two goals in a hugely impressive 3-0 away win.
While Tosun is a natural-born goalscorer, Marega would add versatility, aggression and unselfishness to a Newcastle frontline that has flattered to deceive this season.
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