Newcastle United reportedly made a bid for the prolific forward earlier this month but it was nowhere near enough.
According to a report from Portuguese newspaper A Bola, Sporting Lisbon are unwilling to sell striker Bas Dost to Newcastle United for anything less than his £53million release clause.
This comes just days after the same publication claimed the Magpies had bid £35million for the 28-year-old, and given Newcastle’s transfer budget and the need to significantly strengthen in a number of key areas, a summer switch to St. James’ Park now seems impossible.
It was always going to be a stretch for Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez to bring the prolific Dutchman to the Premier League, especially when you consider he found the net an astonishing 37 times in 43 outings last season.
With that kind of record, he would have been the marquee signing Newcastle fans are craving as they look to build on their Championship-winning campaign last time out. However, there is no way the club’s hierarchy can or will sanction a club-record £53million move for a player fast approaching his thirties.
There are other impressive options out there, but Newcastle are just one of a number of clubs interested in them and, as was seen with their failed pursuit of Chelsea sensation Tammy Abraham, things do not always go your way despite earlier suggestions to the contrary.
Newcastle have had a quiet transfer window to date, but they have recently added defender Florian Lejeune to their ranks and their fans will be hoping a new striker arrives in due course. Just do not expect it to be Dost.
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