Newcastle United are hoping to lure Kevin Gameiro to St James’ Park from Atletico Madrid, a week after he rejected Premier League rivals Swansea.
Swansea City’s American owners have been justifiably criticised for failing to provide sufficient funds in the transfer market since taking over in 2016, but it appears that the club’s precarious position at the bottom of the Premier League table might have scared them into action.
But the report added that the jet-heeled Frenchman turned down the chance to swap one of La Liga’s biggest clubs for England’s bottom team, as he only wants to sign for a side in the top six.
So it almost goes without saying that Swansea fans would have a right to feel frustrated if Gameiro rocks up at Newcastle United before the end of the month.
And despite an apparent reluctance to invest, it appears that owner Mike Ashley has given Rafa Benitez the green light to pursue a player that will surely smash Newcastle’s 13-year-old transfer record, set when they paid Real Madrid £16 million for Michael Owen in 2005.
You might notice, however, that Newcastle are not a top six club. They cannot afford a title challenge or European football and, as it stands, they are only three points ahead of Swansea and one clear of the relegation zone.
So while the prospect of working with Benitez may appeal, and Newcastle are a bigger club in terms of stature, Swansea would be rightfully disappointed if Gameiro turns them down and arrives on Tyneside a week later.
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