Newcastle United held talks over video with Nicolas Gonzalez’s representatives but Serie A outfit Fiorentina will only sell the Premier League-linked forward for over £35 million, according to Tuttomercatoweb.
Trying to find a weakness in this Newcastle squad feels like trying to find a plot hole in One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Only the most pernickety of perfectionists would dare to find a fault. But, if you’ll allow us to take on something of a ‘Devil’s Advocate’ role; do Newcastle really have enough reliable goalscorers at their disposal?
Ok, Eddie Howe’s Champions League-chasers have scored 33 times in just 19 games; just Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool, Brighton and Tottenham Hotspur have more. But only Miguel Almiron and the injury-prone Callum Wilson have more than three to their name. Newcastle remain a couple of knocks and the odd suspension away from fielding an attack consisting of Chris Wood, Jacob Murphy and Ryan Fraser.
Last week’s FA Cup third-round defeat to League One Sheffield Wednesday was a timely reminder that, while Howe has worked wonders at St James’ Park, this is still a squad lacking in quality depth.
Newcastle’s interest in Argentina international Nicolas Gonzalez, then, feels like an acceptance of that fact.
Leicester face Newcastle United battle to sign Fiorentina’s Nicolas Gonzalez
According to Tuttomercatoweb, the Magpies recently took part in a video call with Gonzalez’s representatives. Newcastle are yet to make any offer for the one-time Stuttgart talisman. But high-quality additions will most certainly be required if – or when – Newcastle seal their long-awaited return to European football.
Howe’s squad, after all, does not yet feel like one capable of playing three high-octane games every single week against quality opposition.
A left-footed right winger in the Riyad Mahrez mould; Gonzalez scored eight goals and produced nine assists during his debut season at Fiorentina in 2021/22. Plummeting Leicester City have submitted an offer of £30 million (Gianluca di Marzio).
But Fiorentina, after infuriating supporters by cashing in on the talismanic Dusan Vlahovic 12 months ago, have no plans of accepting a repeat situation; director Joe Barone insisting that Gonzalez is not for sale this month.
It will take a bid in excess of £35 million to tempt La Viola to soften their stance. Then again, as you might have noticed, Newcastle United are not a team short of cash these days.
‘Always in top shape’
Tottenham Hotspur were interested in Gonzalez before he joined Fiorentina in 2021 (Athletic). Former Stuttgart director Sven Mislintat sees similarities between the 24-year-old and one of the greatest goal-poachers of the modern era.
“I know that, from (Pierre-Emerick) Aubameyang’s days in Dortmund, he was always in top shape. He arrived on Friday evenings and was able to play on Saturdays. Nico is one of those guys too,” Mislintat told BILD.
“The group takes Nico as he is. They accept his strengths and weaknesses. He’s a playful character, which is good for us.”
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