Newcastle United are reportedly interested in signing Joelinton, who is valued at £40 million.
According to a report from The Sunday Mirror (24/3; page 70), Newcastle’s scouts are not convinced that Joelinton is worth £40 million as the Magpies weigh up a club-record move for the striker.
The 22-year-old has enjoyed a good year with Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga, scoring seven goals in 25 games in the top flight, while he has scored in a Champions League tie with Lyon earlier on in the campaign.
Newcastle are looking at the Brazilian. But The Sunday Mirror (24/3; page 70) has seemingly cast doubt over whether the Toon Army can expect a move to take place.
The report suggests that Benitez’s scouts are not convinced that Joelinton would represent enough of an upgrade on what they already have in their ranks given that he would smash their club record.
It does seem important that the Newcastle hierarchy are open to the idea of signing someone for more than what they paid for Miguel Almiron in January. Benitez has put together a good squad, and will probably feel that he would now rather focus on landing two or three marquee additions rather than spend seven-figure fees on five or six players.
Joelinton has serious potential. But his record suggests that spending anything like £40 million on him would be a huge gamble, especially at a time when it seems that Benitez is still having to prove how much success he can have if he is given serious money to spend.
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