Eddie Howe is desperate to add goals to his Newcastle United side as only one player netted more than five goals in the Premier League this season, but L’Equipe (h/t Sport Witness) the Magpies may be setting their sights too high.
Newcastle are interested in RB Leipzig’s Christopher Nkunku who scored 35 goals with 20 assists in 51 games last season, but the 24-year-old isn’t convinced by the project at St James’ Park. He’s open to coming to the Premier League, but the Toon Army may not be the ones procuring his signature.
Nkunku joined Leipzig on a five-year deal from Paris Saint-Germain in 2019, setting them back just shy of £12m. He’s gone on to make 135 appearances in all competitions, scoring 47 goals with 47 assists and is now valued at £52m.
The French international can operate across the frontline and would be a significant upgrade on Allan Saint-Maximin, but there are bigger clubs than Newcastle in the transfer race, so Howe might have to turn his attentions elsewhere.
The Magpies can blow most teams out of the water financially, but Nkunku will be playing in Europe next season, so continental football might be a minimum requirement.
In other news, Eddie Howe could drop Jonjo Shelvey next season after latest report
