Newcastle are expected to be busy in the transfer market this summer.
Newcastle United have reportedly stepped up their work in the transfer window this week, as Rafa Benitez looks to overhaul his midfield options to take The Toon to the next level.
Last season, Jonjo Shelvey was head and shoulders above his competition, remaining first choice throughout the season. Mo Diame, Isaac Hayden and Mikel Merino were left to fight for a place alongside him.
In the second half of the season, Diame stepped up to the plate and he and Shelvey combined well. But the former Hull City man is hardly seen as Benitez’s long-term partner for Shelvey.
Recent reports also suggest as such, with Turkish outlet Aksam claiming Newcastle have activated Oguzhan Ozyakup’s £8.8million release clause, while Italian publication TuttoMercatoWeb say Benitez has bid £11.4million for Stefano Sturaro.
Besiktas captain Ozyakup has a glowing reputation after helping Besiktas win the 2016-17 SuperLig, before the ex-Arsenal midfielder guided Besiktas into the knockout rounds of the Champions League this time around.
Sturaro has been made to wait at Juventus with huge central midfield competition, but his dogged determination and versatility would certainly improve most Premier League sides. He also featured in 2017-18’s Champions League.
For a fee of just under £21million, the Toon could be about to bring two excellent midfielders to Newcastle, in a move that would change the verdict on Benitez’s squad from Championship quality to Premier League standard.
Indeed, combining the duo with Shelvey would give Newcastle one of the best central midfield trios in the Premier League – all for the bargain fee of £20.2million.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
