Premier League sides Newcastle United and Wolverhampton Wanderers have emerged as the most likely destinations for Bundesliga star Joelinton.
Newcastle United are hoping to complete a club-record £36 million deal for Joelinton this week, but The Mailclaims that Wolverhampton Wanderers are unwilling to meet Hoffenheim’s demands for the Brazilian striker.
While Wolves have some of the most ambitious owners in world football in Chinese billionaires Fosun International, the much-maligned Mike Ashley continues to be despised by Newcastle supporters up and down the land – particularly after the departure of popular manager Rafael Benitez and the impending arrival of Steve Bruce.
So reports that Ashley is set to sanction a £36 million bid for Joelinton come as a huge surprise.
The Mail adds that Newcastle are hoping to seal a deal within the next few days too, in order to avoid letting this already lengthy transfer saga drag on any further.
Wolves, meanwhile, are apparently reluctant to pay in the region of £40 million, despite manager Nuno Espirito Santo making it clear on Monday that he’s been frustrated by the lack of new additions (Sky).
A physical and unselfish target man blessed with excellent movement and intelligent link-play, Joelinton produced 11 goals and nine assists in his first season at Hoffenheim. And the similarities with former Newcastle loanee Salomon Rondon are impossible to ignore.
He’s seven years younger than the West Brom-owned Venezuelan international too. So while Joelinton would cost around £20 million more than Rondon, he could be a far more sensible investment given his potential re-sale value.
And we all know how much Ashley loves making a profit.
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