Newcastle United are leading the race to sign striker Dimitri Oberlin in January, according to the Sun.
The newspaper claims that the Magpies want to improve their attacking options in the New Year and are eyeing the Red Bull Salzburg 20-year-old, who is currently on loan at FC Basel.
It is understood that the North East club have the advantage in the race for his signature ahead of Manchester United despite their Premier league rivals scouting him.
The report details that Oberlin is valued at £20million by RB Salzburg given his impressive form out on loan.
The centre-forward has been in great form for Swiss side Basel this campaign and already managed eight goals across all competitions, including four in six Champions League group games.
Newcastle are reportedly leading the chase for Oberlin, but it’s explained further that they will have to offload Aleksandar Mitrovic as a result.
The 23-year-old has struggled to make a serious impact at St James’ Park this season after falling down the pecking order and is currently the third-choice forward option in Rafael Benitez’s squad.
Good move for Newcastle?
Oberlin would be an excellent addition to the Newcastle squad in January given his performances this season on the European stage and he is now set to face Manchester City in the last 16 of the Champions League.
The 20-year-old is an emerging talent with good pace and is proving he is a clinical touch in front of goal.
The Magpies desperately need a prolific goalscorer to drag them away from relegation this season and Oberlin looks like he could be a future star in the Premier League.
Meanwhile, Mitrovic’s exit has seemed on the cards for a long time now given his lack of opportunities and the current Basel ace would be a strong replacement for him.
This Is Futbol rating: 8/10
Likely to happen?
The Sun’s report places Newcastle as frontrunners to secure a deal for Oberlin in January if his £20million price tag, but dropping down from the Champions League to a struggling Premier League team would be a difficult one for the player.
It is widely expected that Mitrovic will depart St James’ Park when the transfer window re-opens, but given the state of the club’s current potential takeover bid it seems unlikely they could splash out £20million on a new star centre-forward.
This Is Futbol rating: 2/10