Newcastle are still thought to be battling both Everton and West Ham in the race to land Monaco’s Rony Lopes – so could he prove to be the final piece of Steve Bruce’s Magpies jigsaw?
According to French outlet L’Equipe, cited by Sports Witness, the Premier League trio, along with Valencia, AS Roma and Sevilla, are all interested in the 23-year-old, with Monaco looking to receive €25 million for his services.
Allan Saint-Maximin and Joelinton have already arrived at St James’ Park, two players who look set to replace Ayoze Perez and Salomon Rondon for the upcoming season – but could Lopes be the final piece of Bruce’s attacking jigsaw?
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A front four of Miguel Almiron, Lopes, Saint-Maximin and Joelinton would certainly get Magpies supporters’ hearts racing, along with placing panic in plenty of Premier League defences.
Lopes is well known for his dynamic low centre of gravity and agility, whilst his ability on the ball has also caught the eye.
Many have compared the Portuguese midfielder to David Silva in the past, with Lopes possessing a sharp turn of pace to add to his excellent passing range and eye for goal.
He could well prove to be the missing piece for Bruce going forward and would definitely offer something different to what is currently on offer at St James’ Park.
Monaco, who brought Lopes from Manchester City in 2015, have succeeded in nurturing his clear talent in recent years, and at €25 million, a move to Tyneside could be one that the club desperately need to make over the coming days.
