Newcastle United are interested in signing Hoffenheim centre-forward Joelinton, according to Newcastle Chronicle journalist Lee Ryder.
Joelinton, 22, had an excellent season, scoring 11 goals and setting up nine others in 35 appearances for the Bundesliga side.
Speaking on a Facebook Live video published by the newspaper’s account, Ryder said that there is a real opportunity available to the Magpies if they want to sign the attacker.
“That’s right. I keep a very close eye on the Joelinton situation at Hoffenheim because, as a club – and this is just my interpretation from what I’ve been told – I think Newcastle would like to sign Joelinton,” the journalist said, as quoted by the Chronicle’s website.
“There seems to be some kind of package, whether it’s staggered payments or what I’m not entirely sure, but there seems to be some structure available if they want to sign Joelinton.
“Rafa, while he thinks Joelinton is a decent player, he’s thinking that money could be pooled somewhere else to sign a different striker, or a different midfielder, or whatever his plans are.”
OPINION
Joelinton would be an excellent signing for Newcastle, and the player is one they should definitely think about going for. At only 22 years of age, there is plenty of time for the player to develop and, given that he has impressed so much in the Bundesliga, there is every reason to suggest that he would do the same in the Premier League. What’s more, it sounds as if Benitez is keen on the player, and that there is a package available to bring the player into the club that would not break the bank. Going off all this, it seems a very attractive proposition. Staggered payments are likely to be the best way to go if they were propose a deal, since the attacker is likely to command a very high fee given his age and potential. However, Ryder then suggests while Benitez is keen on Joelinton, he could look elsewhere for different players. Whatever happens this summer for Newcastle, Joelinton is one they should definitely look at.