Newcastle are reportedly monitoring Atlanta United star Josef Martinez, ahead of a potential move.
According to Chronicle Live, head of recruitment Steve Nickson has spent time scouting the player as Steve Bruce’s side consider their options in the transfer market.
It’s not the first time that Martinez has been linked with a move to St James’ Park either. Back in September, Chronicle Live also reported that Newcastle were keeping tabs on the Venezuelan striker.
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Given that this is not the first time the player has been linked with a move to the Magpies, these latest reports may suggest that there is some concrete interest on Newcastle’s part.
Whether or not a potential deal could fit into their budget remains to be seen, though. Described by Once a Metro as the ‘league’s poster child’, Martinez is unlikely to be cheap when you look at his incredible goalscoring record.
He has found the back of the net an impressive 77 times in 83 MLS appearances, with the striker averaging a goal every 91 minutes (transfermarkt). Stats of that ilk could suggest that a deal for Martinez may surpass the £21m Newcastle spent on his former team-mate Miguel Almiron (BBC).
It’s a position that Steve Bruce knows he may need to strengthen this month if the Magpies are hoping to kick on during the second half of the season – only Watford and Crystal Palace have scored fewer goals in the bottom half of the league (premierleague.com).
Bringing in another forward this month could also take some of the pressure off Joelinton, who looks desperately short of confidence after scoring just one Premier League goal following his move from Hoffenheim (WhoScored).
