Newcastle United are reportedly keen to sign Villarreal striker Cedric Bakambu.
According to The Mirror, Newcastle United boss Rafael Benitez remains keen to snap up Villarreal striker Cedric Bakambu – but it’s becoming clear that the Magpies would have to break their transfer record to sign him.
The Magpies have been left frustrated so far this summer in their pursuit of new signings, with their only deal coming in the form of handing on-loan winger Christian Atsu a permanent deal.
Villarreal’s Cedric Bakambu scores a goal against Sparta Prague
Benitez will desperately want Newcastle to get deals over the line ahead of the new Premier League season, and a new striker will almost certainly be on his wish list, given question marks over the futures of both Aleksandar Mitrovic and Daryl Murphy.
Now, The Mirror claim that Newcastle boss Benitez wants to land Villarreal striker Cedric Bakambu to boost his attack, though it would require a huge outlay from owner Mike Ashley.
It’s noted that West Ham United have already had a £22million bid for Bakambu rejected, and Newcastle’s transfer record sits at £16million paid to Real Madrid to sign Michael Owen in 2005.
Newcastle would therefore have to break their transfer record to sign Bakambu, and it remains to be seen whether Ashley would be willing to into the £25million to £30million range for the DR Congo international.
Villarreal’s Cedric Bakambu
Bakambu, 26, starred in his first season with Villarreal following a summer 2015 move from Bursaspor, notching 22 goals in all competitions – but last term was a little more frustrating, managing just 11 goals having started just 17 league games.
Bakambu possesses blistering pace and real power to trouble defences, making him a threat on the shoulder of the last man, and Benitez will now hope that Ashley will back him with the funds to complete the deal and break the club’s 12-year transfer record.
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