Michy Batshuayi is a loan option for Newcastle United although Bournemouth’s £20 million striker Callum Wilson is Steve Bruce’s number one target, according to the Chronicle.
It almost goes without saying that a new number nine is an absolute must for the Magpies this summer.
Who that particular number nine proves to be, however, is anyone’s guess at this stage.
Ollie Watkins is certainly the most in-form of Newcastle’s summer targets, having hit the net a career-best 26 times since being transformed from a sprightly winger into a ruthless centre-forward by Brentford boss Thomas Frank.
But Watkins has never played at Premier League level before and the step up from the Championship to the top-flight is quite a substantial one – just ask Dwight Gayle.
Batshuayi and Wilson, then, would both represent proven, Premier League quality – even if the 2019/20 campaign was far from a stellar one for the Belgian and England internationals.
The Chronicle claims that £33 million Chelsea misfit Batshuayi is a short-term option for the Tyneside giants.
The former Marseille talisman would certainly jump at the chance to secure regular first-team football after starting just one league game since Frank Lampard took over at Stamford Bridge.
Batshuayi offered a tantalising glimpe of his potential during a loan spell at Crystal Palace in 2018/19, scoring five times in nine starts.
And a run of games as Newcastle’s go-to goal-scorer could be exactly what this penalty box predator is crying out for.
The Chronicle reports that the £20 million-rated Wilson remains Bruce’s preferred option but, without a Saudi billionaire pulling the strings, freebies and loan deals may once again be the order of the day at St James’ Park.
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