Newcastle United have tabled a £17.5million bid for Besiktas striker Cenk Tosun, according to Aksam News.
The Turkish news outlet claim on their website that the Magpies’ offer for the forward has been rejected but they are not far off the asking price.
Aksam News report that Besiktas’ president Fikrit Orman has slapped a £20million valuation on Tosun, which leaves Newcastle just £2.5million short of a deal.
It is said that Premier League rivals Tottenham and Crystal Palace are also closely pursuing the 26-year-old.
The 23-time-capped Turkey international has scored eight goals in 13 appearances across all competitions this season after netting 24 in 47 matches in 2016-17.
Good move for Newcastle?
Tosun fits the profile of the type of striker who Newcastle usually target, although, at 26, he is a couple of years older than the rising stars they tend to prefer. Tosun has a fine record at Besiktas, where he scored 24 in all competitions last season, and plenty of Champions League experience. He could turn out to be an absolute gem of a signing.
This Is Futbol rating 8/10
Likely to happen?
Turkish reports can usually be taken with a huge dose of salt but there has been enough Tosun-Newcastle speculation in recent months to suggest the English club’s interest is genuine and sustained. The January window is a few months away, but the Magpies appear to be putting in the groundwork on this deal.
This Is Futbol rating 6/10