Newcastle’s links to Hoffenheim ace Joelinton have just got stronger.
Newcastle United smashed their transfer record on deadline day in January to sign Miguel Almiron, and as if that wasn’t enough, they were then linked with another huge move.
Magpies fans will have thought they were dreaming when they read Sport1’s report that Newcastle were set to sign Hoffenheim hitman Joelinton this summer.
The report claimed that talks had been progressing well and a summer deal worth €60million (£52million) would be completed after his impressive displays in Germany.
Unsurprisingly, Newcastle fans won’t have thought too much about this bizarre, out-of-the-blue rumour. The odds of Mike Ashley splashing more than £50million on a player are slim at best, and even slimmer after only just breaking the long-standing club-record.
Yet now, The Chronicle – a far more reliable source on Newcastle information than the original – report that the Magpies have indeed been watching Joelinton on a number of occasions this season.
It now means that there may actually be some truth to those initial reports in that Newcastle are interested in luring Joelinton to St James’ Park in a big move this summer.
A fee of £52million is completely out of the question though. Half of that may be in Newcastle’s reach, and it would still require a huge deal – surely a new club record – to secure what seemed like a bizarre move.
Brazilian ace Joelinton, 23, has hit 11 goals and six assists in 30 games this season, impressing with his strength, skill and turn of pace, and he could be a huge addition to the Newcastle attack if they can pull off the unthinkable.
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