Rafa Benitez has handed Mike Ashley a shortlist of attacking options that Newcastle United could sign, according to the Northern Echo.
The local newspaper claim that as the Magpies boss doesn’t know Ashley’s budget; there’s a huge price difference between some of his targets.
The Northern Echo report that Kevin Gameiro, valued at £25million, is on the list, despite his high price, as the forward wants to move clubs.
However, Gameiro wasn’t keen on joining Swansea City, after they bid £20million.
The 30-year-old Europa League winner has played 18 times for Atletico Madrid this season, scoring six goals.
Tottenham are keen on Gameiro as well, with their interest a potential problem to the Magpies’ chances of signing the forward.
Liverpool’s Danny Ings and Islam Slimani are also on Benitez’s list, as potential strikers that Newcastle United could take on loan.
Benitez also wants the Magpies to sign a goalkeeper, full-back and a new midfielder in the January transfer window.
Good move for Newcastle?
Yes. All three attacking options would make good January signings, with Gameiro being the best of the bunch.
The forward, even at the age of 30-year-old, could be the forward needed to fire Newcastle United (they have also been linked with his teammate Fernando Torres) away from the relegation zone.
Gameiro is worth paying £25million for that reason, as Premier League survival is worth a lot more.
This Is Futbol rating: 9/10
Likely to happen?
It’s worrying that Benitez’s price range of targets goes from £25million to loan deals; as that shows Ashley has not informed the Newcastle United manager of his plans.
However, you have to admire his ambition to put a player like Gameiro on his list.
The forward has long been a target of Benitez, but his £25million price-tag looks like making the Magpies an unlikely destination for him.
Ings and Slimani are more likely to join the club, but it rests on whether their managers decide to send them out on loan.
This Is Futbol rating: 5/10