Journalist Ben Jacobs has revealed on the NUFC Matters YouTube channel that Dan Ashworth has watched Andrea Belotti as a potential Newcastle United signing.
The Magpies have only managed to improve their defence so far in the transfer market, but that will surely have to change soon, as Eddie Howe can’t be going into the new season with just Callum Wilson and Chris Wood as his first-team options in the striker position.
Newcastle have been linked with several strikers so far this summer such as Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Victor Osimhen, but a more left-field link has now emerged via Jacobs, with free agent Belotti said to have been watched by Ashworth.
He said: “Belotti is somebody that, again, Dan Ashworth has looked at. I’m no expert on the mechanics of that particular deal – shock horror, I don’t know absolutely everything about absolutely every deal, but I do know that Belotti was excellent at Torino, so I would recommend that kind of signing.”
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TIF Thoughts on Belotti…
Interestingly, the Italian reportedly rejected a move to Newcastle back in January.
The ‘extraordinary’ striker is still only 28, so being able to sign an international striker as a free agent would appear to be a no-brainer on paper, however, given his peak age and requiring no transfer fee, the striker would likely demand a hefty wage packet.
Although, if Ashworth and Howe decide he’s the right man to provide sufficient competition to Callum Wilson, it could make a lot of financial sense to sign someone with a proven track record in front of goal, with the Italian netting 106 goals in 270 appearances during his Serie A career.
However, they may have to move quickly, as some reports have suggested Monaco are close to sealing a deal for the free agent.