Red Bull Salzburg star Valon Berisha has confirmed that Newcastle United are in the hunt to sign him this summer, however he is yet to receive an offer from the Tyneside club.
Berisha, 25, was in stunning form for Salzburg last season, tearing apart Europe as he helped his side reach the Europa League semi-finals.
The left-sided speed demon scored 13 goals and supplied 11 assists in 45 appearances across all competitions for the Austrian giants, and even found the net against the likes of Borussia Dortmund, Real Sociedad and Lazio in the Europa League.
Now, the 10-times Kosovo international, who previously earned caps for Norway before Kosovo became members of FIFA, has announced that Newcastle are long-term admirers of him and that he is dreaming of one day playing in the Premier League.
When asked if Newcastle are interested, Berisha told Norwegian television station TV2: “They’ve been following me for a long time. There is an interest there, but there is nothing on the table that I have to decide on yet. England is the dream and we will see what it will be like.”
OPINION
Berisha would be a very good addition for Newcastle if Rafa Benitez wants to sign a left-winger this summer. Berisha has plenty of pace, knows where the goal is and is also an avid creator having supplied plenty of assists at Salzburg. He has earned a lot of experience at Red Bull Salzburg from winning Austrian Bundesliga titles, playing in the Champions League and reaching the Europa League semi-finals last season before they were knocked out in extra time by Marseille. With Kenedy’s loan deal now expired and the chances of him return to St James’ Park looking unlikely, Benitez may be in for a new left-sided winger and Berisha fits the bill. A lot of Newcastle’s business this summer will depend on money, but Salzburg shouldn’t be demanding too much due to the lack of financial power that Austrian teams have. This is certainly a bit of news for Newcastle fans to be excited about.