Newcastle United have joined Leeds in the race for Nantes winger Moses Simon with the latter having a bid rejected in January, according to OwnGoalNigeria.
The same article reported that the Magpies are set to ‘dangle £100,00 a week deal’ at Simon in the hope that they can lure him into St James’s Park rather than Elland Road.
Simon’s price tag is set at £20million which is nothing short of pocket change for Newcastle after their recent Saudi takeover.
Simon and Alan Saint-Maximin link up?
Saint-Maximin has been the star man for Newcastle this season and has often lacked service or someone who is on a similar wave length to him when he is dazzling defenders with his skill and pace.
Simon is known for his pace and power which was demonstrated in this years AFCON and the thought of Saint-Maximin on the other flank could be devastating for Premier League defenders.
If Simon was to make the move to St James’s Park in the summer, it would take the pressure off the Frenchman as there are doubts that he could burn out if Eddie Howe becomes too reliant on him.
The Frenchman has been offered the ‘free role’ at times for Newcastle which allows him free reign of the pitch meaning he can create chances from all areas. And if this plan isn’t working for Howe and they did sign Simon, then they can turn to him to create chances.
Improvement on Fraser?
Ryan Fraser signed for Newcastle in 2020 from Bournemouth and featured 17 times this campaign but has managed to score just one goal and registered just one assist, not supplying much back up for Saint-Maximin.
In contrast, Simon has got eight goal involvements in 19 games which includes six assists – a mighty fine return for someone who predominantly plays out wide for his sude.
Fraser has played under Eddie Howe before during his time with the Cherries which earnt him the initial move to Newcastle after Bournemouth got relegated to the Championship.
But things have been tough for the Scott since moving back to the Premier League as he has struggled to regain any form, and the £12.5m-rated Simon’s arrival could provide that extra little step up in quality for the Magpies.