Newcastle are involved in a last-gasp deadline day chase of RB Salzburg midfielder Valon Berisha with Premier League rivals Leicester, according to a report.
The Sun have claimed on their live transfer deadline day blog that both the Magpies and the Foxes are both in the hunt for the 24-year-old Kosovo international with just hours remaining of the summer window.
It is also stated that Newcastle are the club showing the strongest interest in Berisha and that a loan deal with an option to buy at £12million is looking likely.
Breisha is still contracted to RB Salzburg until 2020 and has played in 11 matches for the club this season, returning four goals and two assists.
He is also still contracted until 2020 and This Is Futbol has weighed up whether a move for Breisha will be good for Newcastle and if it is likely to happen.
Good move for Newcastle?
Newcastle are certainly lacking goals in their midfield ranks and that is something that Berisha offers alongside assists. In a full campaign last season he managed eight goals and 12 assists in 46 matches in all competitions and would offer an alternative to the more defensive Jonjo Shelvey and Isaac Hayden. Additionally, a loan to buy deal certainly works out well for Newcastle as they can test him in England before spending a large amount to then find out he can’t bring his form to the Premier League. Therefore, Newcastle must certainly consider getting a deal over the line with just hours remaining.
This Is Futbol rating: 9/10.
Likely to happen?
At this stage it looks like a move for Berisha may have come too late from Newcastle if it is true. With just six hours of the transfer window left most deals are reaching their final stages. However, according to the Sun both the Magpies and Leicester are simply in the chase for Kosovo international. Therefore, it would be very surprising if he is holding a Newcastle shirt before 11.00pm.
This Is Futbol rating: 1/10.