OPINION
Newcastle should consider hijacking Stoke’s reported move for Paris Saint-Germain attacker Jese Rodriguez.
The Mail claim that the 24-year-old has rejected a move to Italy after being expected to join Fiorentina on a two-year loan deal with view to a permanent transfer.
It is understood he is now pursuing a switch to the Premier League and that Stoke have opened talks over a potential deal.
The report details that French giants PSG would be prepared to consider a deal for Jese and that it has alerted Premier League sides to the possibility of signing him.
Newcastle must try to beat Premier League rivals Stoke to his signature and land the Spaniard to help bolster their squad.
Jese has already had a very successful career and won the Champions League twice during his time with Real Madrid, while also winning a La Liga title.
The left winger was a popular player during his time at the Bernabeu, scoring 18 goals and supplying 16 assists in 94 appearances.
He has endured a slight dip in form since his move to PSG in 2016 and was loaned out to Spanish club Las Palmas last season, but that should not deter Newcastle from his signature.
Rafael Benitez will be well aware of Jese’s qualities after working with him at Madrid and should now try to form a reunion at St James’ Park.
The pacy attacker offers a strong goal threat out wide and would bring a good level of pedigree to Newcastle.
The 24-year-old is still yet to enter the peak of his career and could reignite his best form if he given the chance in the Premier League.
Newcastle began their league season with a 2-0 away defeat to Tottenham on Sunday and it looks like scoring goals is going to be their biggest test moving forward.
They would be making a real signal of intent if they managed to land Jese and he should begin to solve their worries in front of goal.