Julien Laurens has shared that Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United prefer to sign players such as Sandro Tonali of AC Milan over Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane because of the transfer price and how they are ‘much younger’.
The European football expert added that Newcastle United, whilst they have the biggest financial backing in the Premier League, want to sign players for ‘£70 million at a maximum’, as he told ESPN.
The Magpies are seemingly going to land Sandro Tonali for that fee, but there’s no way, even with 12 months left on his contract, you get Harry Kane for that price from Tottenham Hotspur.
The England captain scored 30 Premier League goals last season, and with Daniel Levy running Spurs’ ship, then even if £100 million lands on his doorstep, he will probably say ‘no’.
Added to that, whilst Newcastle are now ahead of the north London club and have a better project, you would imagine that, if Kane leaves, he heads to a club that would near-on guarantee trophies.
Those at St James’ Park can’t provide that, as of this moment, but that’s why they are bringing in players like Tonali, who is going to aim to take the club to the next level upon his arrival.
“I think £70 million is the maximum they want to put, they could put more, of course,” said Laurens. “Same with Tonali as well.
“They are young players as well. Much younger than Harry Kane. I think Harry Kane is an amazing player. We have said that many times on the show. But he is turning 30, at the end of the month.
“I can see why they want to go in a different direction, certainly not spending over the £100-120 million mark. They maybe also know that he might say ‘no’, so why would you go and pursue that when you can go and look at other potential signings?
“Even if Harry Kane doesn’t come, it’s still an exciting summer from a Newcastle point of view. They are after a lot of players to strengthen their squad in quality and quantity – it’s okay if you don’t get Harry Kane because you are going to get a lot more exciting players.”
Newcastle going strong in the transfer market
Many expected Newcastle to go transfer-crazy upon the arrival of the Saudis, but it has been far from it.
Yes, they have smashed their club-record transfer during that period, but signings such as Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn and Nick Pope have proven to be brilliant.
Things might need to be taken up a notch, but so far, it’s a big tick in the transfer box for all involved with the club.
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