As Alan Shearer highlighted over the weekend, Newcastle United will surely be in the market for another striker this summer.
Alexander Isak needs support ahead of our return to Europe, in whatever competition that may be, and there is a growing feeling Callum Wilson’s days on Tyneside will come to an end, with his contract due to expire in a few months time.
It’s a tough role to fill given Isak’s status and a reluctance to play second fiddle to Europe’s top striker, but it’s a position we must address to ensure we compete on four fronts next season.
One familiar name with some Premier League experience has been linked in recent weeks and some big claims have emerged from Italy today, suggesting we’re making early moves.
Newcastle in for Fiorentina star?
According to reports in Italy today, Newcastle are pushing to position themselves at the front of the queue to sign Moise Keane.
After struggling at Everton earlier in his career, the 25-year-old Italian international is now enjoying a sensational season with Fiorentina.
His goal in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at AC Milan took him up to 17 league goals for the season, and Calciomercato report that Newcastle are the Premier League club showing serious interest heading into the summer.
They report that Arsenal and Spurs are admirers, but it’s Newcastle who have become the first club to make ‘direct contact’ with the player’s agent to get ahead of the competition.
Crucially, Kean’s contract includes a £44m release clause that’s set to be active over the first two weeks of July, which may explain why Newcastle are trying to get in early.
It’s thought Serie A sides are also keen, with Napoli and AC Milan also interested in the former Juventus and PSG forward.
Promising signs from a raw talent
Kean flopped at Everton as a raw 19-year-old and may have arrived too soon in the Premier League at that point of his career.
Since then, he’s scored 17 goals in 41 games at PSG and 22 in 36 appearances for Fiorentina, adding final product to his undoubted mix of pace and power.
I actually watched Fiorentina’s 2-2 draw at the San Siro on Saturday night and he really impressed me, mixing a predator’s finish with plenty of hard work, sharp link up play and movement.
Perhaps a £44m deal is a little ambitious to act as back-up to Alexander Isak, but it would be a real sign of PIF’s intentions if we sealed Champions League football and replaced Wilson’s with Serie A’s second top scorer.
