Newcastle United look unlikely to sign a new striker before the Premier League season starts next week, but Eddie Howe does have a transfer target that is more attainable – Maxwel Cornet.
Craig Hope of the Daily Mail says Newcastle are interested in the Burnley forward and are willing to pay more than his £17.5m release clause by spreading it over a longer period.
The Magpies are reportedly willing to spent £25m on the 25-year-old who scored nine goals with one assist from 26 Premier League games last season, but Newcastle should be wary of his flaws before making a move.
Cornet is inconsistent. In his last seven seasons as a professional, the Ivorian international has scored 40 goals with 23 assists from 210 top-flight games – six goals on average with three assists. Is that worth paying £25m for?
The 25-year-old can score goals but hasn’t shown a proficiency for much else. Last season, he created one chance every 118 minutes, averaged just 14.5 passes per game with a 70.6% completion rate and had a 34% dribble success rate.
Cornet looks a very raw player, so Newcastle would have to work hard on all facets of his game if they did sign him.
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