The Chronicle have revealed that Newcastle are trying to sign Red Bull Salzburg playmaker Valon Berisha – with Rafa Benitez believed to have made the signing of a number 10 one of his top priorities this summer.
The 25-year-old has enjoyed another superb season in Austria, helping Salzburg to the Bundesliga title and the Europa League semi finals – bagging an impressive 13 goals and 11 assists from midfield.
It’s claimed by the Chronicle that he’s a player we’ve been tracking for a ‘long period’ and someone Benitez would like to see through the door this summer – however it sounds like we may need to move quickly if we wish to sign him:
“It is understood that at least 10 creative midfielders have been scouted extensively over the past six months, with Red Bull Salzburg’s Valon Berisha someone Newcastle have followed for a long period.
“Ayoze Perez was key to Newcastle’s Premier League survival but like Yedlin and Dummett, had barely any competition for his role.
“Valon Berisha would bring that in abundance. United have watched him, like him and would like to see him through the door. He scored 13 goals this season with 11 assists but reports in Italy suggested a move to Sampdoria.
“He’s got admirers on Tyneside but they’ll have to move quickly to get this sorted.”
He can play out wide and in midfield, but it’s likely that he would give Ayoze Perez some much needed competition in the number 10 role if he was to sign this summer.
Aside from hearing great things on social media, I’ve seen little of Berisha – however he looked like a brilliant little player when I saw him Salzburg against Marseille in the Europa League semi final last month.
In theory, he could be a great buy, but it sounds like we may need to get a move on with talk in Italy that he’s attracting interest from Sampdoria.
