Newcastle United are amongst a trio of clubs, including Southampton and Brighton, who are leading the chase to sign Liverpool’s talented winger Harry Wilson this summer, according to Sky Sports.
The broadcaster claimed via their live transfer blog on Wednesday [3:51pm] that Liverpool would be wanting a fee of around £25million for winger, after the 22-year-old’s impressive form on loan at Derby County this season, where he has scored 16 goals for Frank Lampard’s side who have reached the Championship play-off final.
Newcastle are thought to be facing further potential competition for Wilson from the likes Crystal Palace, if Wilfried Zaha leaves the club, and Derby if they earn promotion, as well as Bundesliga sides Augsburg, Hertha Berlin and Eintracht Frankfurt.
Good move for Newcastle?
Wilson has gained a host of admirers after an excellent campaign on loan at Derby in the Championship, following on from the talented Welshman making a similar impact on loan at Hull City last season, which has highlighted his ability to make the step up to the Premier League next season.
Newcastle will be needing to recruit a player with the type of creativity and attacking instincts of Wilson this summer, after Rafa Benitez’s side registered just 42 goals in the Premier League last season, with only Brighton out of the sides to stay up scoring fewer.
Therefore, Wilson could be just the sort of player Newcastle need to push themselves closer to the top half of the Premier League table next term, and the 22-year-old has the potential to develop even further in the top flight meaning the Magpies could be able to make a profit on the winger if they do manage to sign him this summer.
Benitez is believed to be wanting to have greater freedom in the transfer market if he is to remain in charge at St James’ Park, and the addition of a player of Wilson’s caliber could be just the thing to convince the Spamiard to commit his future to the club.
This is Futbol rating 8/10
Likely to happen?
Mike Ashley is not known for backing his managers with big funds to strengthen their squads, and therefore with a reported £25million valuation form Liverpool Wilson might prove too costly for Newcastle to seriously attempt to sign this summer.
Newcastle are also likely to face a lot of competition for the 22-year-old and are unlikely to be wanting to get drawn into a bidding war for payers during the summer transfer window.
However, if Ashley wants to convince Benitez to stay on as Newcastle manager he may well release some funds to the Spaniard to improve his squad this summer, which could potentially give the Magpies a chance to sign Wilson from Liverpool.
This is Futbol rating 4/10