Agents trying to move Maxwel Cornet and Emmanuel Dennis have now offered Newcastle United a chance to sign the Burnley and Watford strikers, despite interest from West Ham.
That’s according to Chronicle Live, who report intermediaries have contacted the Magpies to discuss possible deals for Cornet and Dennis. Both suffered relegation from the Premier League last season with their respective sides, and now wish to retain top-flight presences.
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Eddie Howe is in the market for further attacking options as he eyes a third striker to have alongside Callum Wilson and Chris Wood. The Toon boss can also call on Joelinton to hold a forward role, but hopes to finalise at least one attacking arrival before the market shuts.
Newcastle offered Cornet and Dennis as Howe eyes striker signing
Chelsea ace Armando Broja interests Howe, but Newcastle must wait until after the Blues’ pre-season for Thomas Tuchel to decide the Albanian’s future. The Toon are also studying possible targets who can occupy wider positions, which both Dennis and Cornet can offer.
Dennis excelled during his debut season in the Premier League after joining Watford from Club Brugge for just £3m. The Hornets’ summer signing registered 10 goals and six assists in 33 top-flight outings, of which he made 15 on the left, 13 centrally and five on the right.
Cornet similarly shone after he switched to England last summer when Burnley paid Lyon £13m for the Ivory Coast international. The 25-year-old lit up Turf Moor with nine goals and one assist in 26 appearances, with 13 centrally, 12 on the left and one from out wide right.
Dennis and Cornet sought-after after Premier League relegations
Both Dennis and Cornet now have Premier League interest, but agents have offered them to Newcastle to gauge Howe’s intrigue. The Mirror report West Ham are prepared to pay Watford £20m for Dennis. The Telegraph also report Irons boss David Moyes likes Cornet.
Newly-promoted play-off winners Nottingham Forest are also interested in Cornet as they look to avoid relegation, per the Daily Mail. But Burnley rebuffed the City Ground natives’ enquiry for the 29-cap ace, who The Athletic note has a £17.5m relegation release clause.
Newcastle accepting an offer to sign Cornet from Burnley would see the Ivorian reunited with Wood after Howe triggered his £25m release clause in January. Wood also lavished praise upon Cornet for what the forward delivered after arriving in the Premier League.
“I think we’re going to sit down at the end of the season and just watch a highlight reel of his best goals,” Wood said, via quotes by the Shropshire Star. “He’s got fantastic quality as a player, you see that on the pitch, and we’re lucky to have him. Long may it continue.”
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