Newcastle United are now racing to sign a “splendid” goalscoring midfielder, who could be available for a fee of just £17m this summer, according to a report.
Howe sets sights on new midfielder
Newcastle are well-stocked in central midfield, with Bruno Guimaraes’ and Sandro Tonali’s impressive performances this season attracting the attention of Manchester City ahead of the summer transfer window.
It is unclear whether the Magpies would be willing to strengthen a direct Premier League rival by selling one of their star midfielders, but if they do decide to cash-in, there are a number of possible replacements on the shortlist.
The PIF are said to have joined a tug-of-war for Man City midfielder James McAtee, while Eddie Howe is particularly fond of Lazio midfielder Matteo Guendouzi, with signing a new midfielder deemed to be a priority if Tonali moves on.
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Newcastle have strong interest in £25m PL ace who Howe called “magnificent”
The Magpies have set their sights on a Premier League player who Eddie Howe has been left very impressed by.
Guendouzi specialises in a defensive role, but there are indications that Howe could also be keen on signing a midfielder capable of making an impact in the attacking third of the pitch.
According to a report from Spain, Newcastle are now racing Atletico Madrid and Nottingham Forest for the signature of Girona maestro Yangel Herrera, with Howe looking to complement his current options in midfield.
Although the rival interest in Herrera may be an issue, there is a sense that a deal could be possible, with the Spanish side willing to sanction his departure for a fee of around €20m (£17m), which would easily be affordable for PIF.
The Venezuelan has been a key player for Girona this season, catching the eye due to his physicality and passing ability, while the central midfielder has also proven himself in front of goal during his time in La Liga…
The Girona midfielder has been particularly impressive going forward in La Liga this season, picking up four goals and three assists, while ranking in a high percentile across a number of key attacking metrics over the past year.
|
Statistic |
Average per 90 |
|
Non-penalty goals |
0.17 (88th percentile) |
|
Touches (Attacking penalty area) |
2.42 (87th percentile) |
|
Shots total |
1.84 (92nd percentile) |
The Venezuela international is also a dominant force in the air, placing in the 91st percentile for aerials won, and he received high praise from Opta Jose for his attacking output back in March.
Herrera has limited top-level experience, making just five appearances in the Champions League, but Newcastle will need to increase their squad depth to compete on all fronts next season, and the 27-year-old has proven he could be a solid option.
