Southampton are reportedly interested in signing the Espanyol man, but Newcastle United should join the party.
Magpies boss Rafa Benitez will surely be looking to bolster his options in January, with his side currently in the midst of a woeful run of form that has seen them take just one point from their last five Premier League outings.
Newcastle currently sit in 12th position in the table, and their tally of just 13 goals scored in the 14 league games they have played thus far is one of the major contributing factors behind their inconsistency.
With this in mind, the Spaniard should be looking to bring an established forward to St James’ Park in January, and he should consider challenging the Saints for the signature of Leo Baptistao.
Click HERE to read: Benitez shares what upset him about Newcastle’s draw with West Brom
Italian media outlet Calcio Mercato claim that Southampton are weighing up a £23.8 million offer for the Brazilian – a figure that the Tyneside outfit would surely be able to match.
The Espanyol striker is a wonderfully cultured player, and his ability to link play between midfield and attack could prove to be a major asset to the Toon.
Baptistao’s game is built around dropping deep and making himself available to his midfield players, which would perfectly compliment Dwight Gayle’s penchant for doing most of his work in and around the penalty area.
The 25-year-old oozes class, and whilst there will be obvious questions raised as to whether he possesses the physical attributes to be a success in England, the relatively small fee of just £23.8 million means that he would be worth the risk.
And if Rafa does indeed manage to bring him to Newcastle, it could turn out to be a signing of real significance for the Toon.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
