Newcastle have joined the race to sign Willian Jose.
According to a report in The Sun Rafa Benitez is prepared to smash Newcastle’s transfer record to sign the striker from Real Sociedad.
Jose has scored ten goals in his first season with Sociedad after scoring nine times last season while often used as a substitute for Las Palmas.
Newcastle have struggled to get goals in the Championship with Benitez determined to bring in quality strikers for next season’s return to the Premier League.
The Newcastle boss has strong contacts in the Spanish game who have highlighted Jose as the type of striker that can make an impact in the top division.
Everton are among a number of clubs that have been linked with the Brazilian striker who seems certain to leave in the summer despite being under contract until 2021.
Newcastle paid Real Madrid £17m for Michael Owen in 2005 but would need to put in at least another £10m to get Jose to St James Park.