Report suggests Newcastle could target Krmencik again in the summer

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Newcastle United were keen to bring Michael Krmencik to St James’ Park from Viktoria Plzen in the January transfer window.

Newcastle United failed to bring Michael Krmencik to St. James’ Park during the January transfer window but that does not mean the deal is dead.

The Mail reported in late January that the Magpies had made an enquiry about the £10 million-rated Czech international, with Benitez a big fan of the 24-year-old.

But when Newcastle landed Islam Slimani on loan from Leicester City instead, Krmencik stayed at Plzen, with the club’s CEO telling Jutarnji List that they did not want to lose a star player midway through the season.

After weeks of speculation, Algerian international Slimani signed from Leicester and, while he has been forced to wait for his debut due to injury, looks like the sort of powerful presence in attack Rafa Benitez has been wanting for some time.

However, Newcastle will have to pay big money to sign Slimani permanently if he impresses on Tyneside. After all, it is less than two years since Leicester paid a club record £29 million to sign him from Sporting Lisbon.

So it should be no surprise to learn that Newcastle could keep tabs on Viktoria Plzen striker Michael Krmencik for the rest of the season.

Krmencik has scored 14 goals in 16 league and Europa League games across 2017/18.

And the Chronicle reports that Newcastle may be tempted to make another move for Krmencik should he continue this prolific form until the end of the campaign.

And why not? It is not often that a prolific striker is available for just £10 million.