According to Ben Jacobs, Newcastle United were keen to make a move for Richarlison, with interest from the Magpies in the Brazilian forward emerging before his recent switch.
In the end, he made the move to Tottenham Hotspur for a reported fee of £60m, adding much-needed depth to the Spurs frontline. However, there was a time when Newcastle wanted the ‘deadly’ attacker.
Jacobs told GiveMeSport: “They need a striker and [Hugo] Ekitike is off now. Richarlison was originally a target that they thought they might be in the conversation for, but Newcastle were told very early and openly that he only wanted to move to London and by London, I mean, at the time, Newcastle were informed that it was Chelsea and Tottenham both circling.”
Such is their stature as one of the richest clubs in world football right now, it’s hard to rule Newcastle out of any transfer. The Magpies missed out on Richarlison in the end, as he wanted to make the London move, as per Jacobs.
Moving to Newcastle wouldn’t have been a bad decision by the striker, however. There’s a clear project and plan taking place at St James’ Park, with the potential to play a part in a squad with increasingly high ambitions.
TIF Thoughts on Ben Jacobs’ Comments…
Jacobs is right when he says that Newcastle need a striker, and it’s a real shame that Richarlison couldn’t be that man. They still have plenty of time to find a goalscorer, though, with just over a month until the Premier League season kicks off.
If it wasn’t for Callum Wilson’s injury record, Eddie Howe could have himself a reliable goalscorer. The fact is, though, the former Bournemouth striker just can’t stay fit enough on a consistent basis to warrant the trust a manager needs to have in their number nine.
With so much time left of the summer window, Newcastle could be in for a busy few months.