Newcastle United don’t have a wide-man with more than five goals or five assists this season – Allan Saint-Maximin (35 PL apps, 5 goals, 5 assists), Ryan Fraser (27 PL apps, 2 goals, 3 assists), Jacob Murphy (33 PL apps, 1 goal, 2 assists), Miguel Almiron (30 PL apps, 1 goal, 0 assists) – so Eddie Howe needs to dip in the transfer market to upgrade his options.
Scott Wilson of The Northern Echo says Leeds United’s Raphinha is on their radar, but his £60m asking price might put them off. The 25-year-old is coming off the back of his best season at Elland Road, scoring 11 goals with three assists from 35 Premier League games, so he’d be a great addition to the squad.
Callum Wilson was Newcastle’s top scorer this season (8), but Raphinha surpassed him. Fraser was second in the squad for assists (3), but Raphinha has matched him. Joelinton was second in the squad for dribbles (37), but Raphinha has surpassed him (62) and Matt Ritchie was Newcastle’s top crosser (104) but Raphinha has surpassed him (162).
Howe has stated before that he won’t pay over the odds for players and Wilson said £60m was too steep for the Magpies, so time will tell if they make a move for Raphinha. He’d be a fantastic acquisition if they did, however.
In other news, Paddy Kenny tips Newcastle to make ‘superstar signing’
