According to Fanatik, Newcastle have submitted a €20m (£17m) bid for Attila Szalai, who West Ham and Aston Villa are also interested in.
What’s the story?
Well, it seems Newcastle have given up trying to bring Sven Botman and Diego Carlos to the Premier League this month.
Fanatik outline how the Magpies have now turned to Szalai as an alternative, in a move which may upset West Ham and Aston Villa.
However, it doesn’t sound as if the bid will be accepted.
Fanatik believe Fenerbahce are happy to sell the 23-cap Hungary international, although they are expected to ask Newcastle to increase their bid.
Once again, it seems as if Newcastle are going to be quoted an inflated fee, given their status as the richest club on the planet.
It was Fanatik who revealed that David Moyes and Steven Gerrard are also interested in signing the 24-year-old, who has been likened to Virgil van Dijk.
Newcastle are about to panic sign West Ham and Aston Villa target
In our view, Newcastle shouldn’t rush into this deal for the sake of it.
Botman and Carlos are exquisite defenders, and by the sounds of it, the Magpies have a much better chance of signing them in the summer.
Therefore, we feel a temporary option should be found on a six-month loan, rather than waste £17m of the budget on a player unproven in one of Europe’s top divisions.
For example, a loan move for someone with Premier League experience – like Chris Smalling – would be a far more sensible move.
There’s no guarantee that Szalai improves Newcastle, and having never played in England before, it might take him a while to settle.
If we were Eddie Howe, we’d steer clear of this deal – it comes with far too many risks attached, especially during a relegation battle.
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