Newcastle United are reportedly pursuing the signature of Stoke City striker Joselu.
Newcastle United’s pursuit of new signings – and specifically a centre forward – has taken them to Premier League rivals Stoke City, with manager Rafael Benitez keen to land Joselu.
The Magpies have added two defenders in Javier Manquillo and Florian Lejeune and a midfielder in Mikel Merino, whilst winger Christian Atsu and Jacob Murphy are also signed up ahead of the new season.
Joselu of Stoke City
However, manager Rafael Benitez does still need reinforcements, and another striker appears to be on his wishlist given that Daryl Murphy has been sold to Nottingham Forest, and question marks linger over Aleksandar Mitrovic’s future at St. James’ Park.
Now, the Stoke Sentinel report that Newcastle have made a move to land Stoke City striker Joselu, but the Potters have rejected Benitez’s first move to sign the former Real Madrid man.
Benitez has already signed two fellow Spaniards this summer in Manquillo and Merino, and Joselu now appears to have emerged as a shock candidate to join Newcastle’s striking ranks alongside Mitrovic and last season’s top goalscorer, Dwight Gayle.
The 27-year-old joined Stoke from Hannover in 2015, but scored just four goals in his first season with the club, and spent last term on loan back in Spain with Deportivo La Coruna, where he scored six goals in 24 games.
A former Real Madrid youngster who has also turned out for Celta Vigo, Hoffenheim and Eintracht Frankfurt, Joselu has impressed in pre-season for Stoke this summer, and Newcastle have now attempted to lure the 6ft 3in centre forward to the North East.
Newcastle fans may not be too excited about a move for Joselu given his poor goalscoring record over his career, but Stoke fans are adamant that he must stay at the bet365 Stadium having shown promise in pre-season friendlies.
Supporters believe that, having lost Marko Arnautovic and Jonathan Walters to Premier League rivals, Stoke can’t afford to let Joselu go this summer, and believe that the Potters should not sell given that he’s a natural striker to challenge Peter Crouch and Saido Berahino.
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