Newcastle United have been active in this summer transfer window. But for the most part, the headlines have been grabbed by those who have left the club or could be about to do so.
The signings that Newcastle United have made have not been the most inspiring. Now, do not get us wrong, the youngsters do have a ton of potential and could prove a lot of doubters wrong in the long run.
The four signings so far have been Ewen Jaouen, Bazoumana Toure, Sean Steur and Aladji Bamba. Even the oldest of those four is 20 years of age. And to be very honest, none of them was a household name in English football before they arrived.
This might not be the end of Newcastle United’s pursuit of wingers this summer though. It looks like a 21-year-old Norwegian international is on their radar as well.
Newcastle United amongst frontrunners to sign Norwegian international
According to Corriere della Sera (via Sport Witness), AS Roma fear Newcastle United in the race to sign Antonio Nusa from RB Leipzig.
The Magpies are ‘among the frontrunners’ for Nusa, with AS Roma also struggling to match his wage demands. The winger wants €5m per season. This has brought about an awareness in Rome that a deal will be complicated, with a move to England seen as likelier.
It might take a transfer fee in the region of €60 million to convince RB Leipzig to part ways with Nusa this summer as well. That would be a steep figure, even for Premier League clubs.
Recent reports have suggested that clubs like Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are interested in signing Nusa as well. So, expect the Norwegian winger to be on the move this summer.
A move for Antonio Nusa would be risky
Nusa has always been considered a phenomenal talent. He was linked with a £30 million move to Chelsea going back to his days at Club Brugge. It did not happen back then. Could the Premier League transfer finally happen this summer?
If you ask me, Nusa’s numbers do not justify a €60 million transfer fee. Last season, the Norwegian winger managed five goals and four assists in 35 games for RB Leipzig.
Overall, he has scored 10 goals and provided 11 assists in 71 appearances for RB Leipzig. Before that, he managed 13 goal contributions in 86 games for Club Brugge.
So, Nusa has never really been prolific. And while his output can improve over time, as he is still just 21 years of age, for a €60 million transfer fee, you would expect someone who is already making more of an impact in the final third of the pitch.
But the underlying numbers do suggest a talent that is on the verge of a breakout. He was in the 98th percentile for successful dribbles and duels won amongst positional peers in the Bundesliga last season. Nobody won more fouls than Nusa as well. There were several other categories where he put up very positive numbers.
