Newcastle United will reportedly have to pay €80m (£70m) this summer if they’re to sign Francisco Trincao, who is set to join Sporting Lisbon on a permanent deal from FC Barcelona.
According to Record, the 23-year-old winger will sign with the Portuguese giants at the end of this season for good have impressed for Sporting since joining the club on loan last summer, with Trincao previously at Premier League side Wolves before being sent back to Barcelona for a lack of good performances.
Despite being an utter flop for the Molineux side in England, Trincao has found his feet quickly back in Portugal, with the attacker this weekend scoring his first career hat-trick to bring his tally to 12 goals and three assists in all competitions.
And now, Newcastle are keeping tabs on Trincao, though Sporting have set their stool out early and have already declared the winger unavailable for sale, with the Toon’s only way of signing the attacker being if they activate the youngster’s £70m release clause.
Indeed, Newcastle are ready to splash the cash this summer with Eddie Howe ready to make a winger one of his main targets for the window. However, with Sporting establishing their stance on Trincao, the Toon could already have to move on from the Portuguese forward.
Moreover, with Trincao already having a year to forget in England with Wolves, Newcastle would be wise to find a player who has either already flourished in the Premier League or has the potential to do so, a prospect that supporters will also find more appealing.
Newcastle should pack in the dream to sign Trincao this summer
Trincao has been incredible for Sporting this season and has done well to rejuvenate his career after it looked lost after spells with Wolves and Barcelona, yet whilst the temptation to make a bid will be there from Newcastle, the Magpies would be wise to move on from the winger.
£70m for an attacker with one black mark on his Premier League record should be a red flag already for Newcastle, and with Sporting keen to keep hold of Trincao, the Toon have enough pressure to stop whilst they’re ahead for the Portuguese forward.
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