Aleksandar Mitrovic is Newcastle United’s only available forward as it stands – and Joselu is reportedly available at a reasonable price.
Newcastle United remain desperate for a centre-forward signing with the start of the new Premier League season just days away.
Dwight Gayle sat out of a 2-0 friendly win over Hellas Verona on Sunday as Rafa Benitez gives his star forward time to recover confidence in his hamstring ahead of facing Tottenham Hotspur – as the manager explained to the club’s website.
In his place, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Newcastle’s only other senior striker, led the line in an indifferent display.
And so, with Gayle struggling towards the back end of last season too, the Magpies urgently require competition for Mitrovic, who has flattered to deceive too often on Tyneside.
But no move has yet been forthcoming, with the Mirror reporting that Benitez was quickly growing frustrated at a failure to bring in Stoke City’s Joselu for £12million.
That would represent a hefty outlay on a third-choice forward, but the Stoke Sentinel have since reported that the Potters would accept less than £5.75m for the forward.
While Joselu may not transform Newcastle’s season, he at least provides cover and, according to the Sentinel, at a reasonable price.
If Newcastle are refusing to make an acceptable bid at that level for the striker, Benitez’s transfer frustration would be completely understandable at a crucial time going into the new campaign.
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