Newcastle have finally completed their first signing of the January transfer window.
Major German newspaper Bild have claimed that Newcastle United and Stoke City sent scouts to report on in-form Hertha Berlin striker Davie Selke over the weekend.
Things are looking slightly more promising on the transfer front at St. James’ Park, after owner Mike Ashley sanctioned a loan deal for Chelsea left-footer Kenedy – the Toon’s first signing of the January transfer window.
Now, Rafa Benitez’s focus has turned on luring a striker to Tyneside, with Joselu and Dwight Gayle failing to find the back of the net on a regular basis. Aleksander Mitrovic is expected to leave the club, with West Brom interested.
It is believed that Hertha Berlin’s Selke is right at the top of that list, after Newcastle scouts watched the German 23-year-old continue his red-hot form on Friday night against Borussia Dortmund.
Valentino Lazaro’s exquisite low cross split the Dortmund defence and Selke was on hand to fire home his ninth goal of the season in just 16 appearances, in front of Newcastle and Stoke talent spotters. Shinji Kagawa equalised later on.
Boasting both pace and height, the 15-time Germany Under-21 international has shone since his move from RedBull Leipzig in the summer, scoring four times in just three Europa League appearances earlier this term.
The report claims that both Newcastle and Stoke are interested in Selke after watching him score, but also reports that Hertha will put up a fight in keeping him. It remains to be seen how much he would cost, with his contract set to expire in 2022.
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