Red Bull Salzburg’s Valon Berisha has confirmed interest from Newcastle United.
Red Bull Salzburg playmaker Valon Berisha has told TV2 in Norway that he has been wanted by Newcastle United for some time – but they have yet to make an offer.
The Magpies are in the market for new signings this summer, and one position that Rafael Benitez will be looking to strengthen is in attacking midfield.
Ayoze Perez has a strong end to the season, buy more competition will be needed with Mohamed Diame playing a more reserved role, and The Chronicle recently discussed Benitez’s pursuit of a number 10 this summer.
In that report, it’s claimed that Newcastle had been pursuing Red Bull Salzburg star Valon Berisha for 18 months, and the player himself has confirmed that interest this weekend.
Berisha has told TV2 in Norway that not only are Sampdoria keen, but Newcastle have been pursuing him for ‘a long time’, but there is no offer on the table, admitting that England is his ‘dream’ move.
“They’ve been following me for a long time,” said Berisha. “There is an interest there, but there is nothing on the table that I have to decide on yet. England is the dream and we will see what it will be like,” he added.
Berisha, 25, made his name in Norway with Egersund and Viking before heading to Austria in 2012, and he has been a key player for Red Bull Salzburg, earning 20 caps for Norway before switching allegiance to play for Kosovo.
The playmaker hit 13 goals and 11 assists last season as he starred in the Europa League for an exciting Salzburg side, who may now lose some key players as a result this summer.
Newcastle should certainly be battling for Berisha’s signature, as he is not only a creative No. 10, but he can also score goals too, and his admission of Newcastle’s interest – and that of Sampdoria – should spark the Magpies into life.
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