Burnley have reportedly launched a bid for Newcastle United target Sardar Azmoun.
The Clarets are desperate to sign a striker after the Magpies snatched Chris Wood away from them. The New Zealand international was their star striker, but he now wears black and white.
Wood joined Newcastle for £25million, with Amanda Staveley and co activating his release clause.
That’s left Burnley without a number nine, but with a big wedge of cash burning a hole in their pocket.
And they could use some of that money to buy a replacement and hinder their relegation rivals Newcastle at the same time.
Sardar Azmoun could play against Newcastle rather than for
At the start of the window, it was clear Newcastle needed another striker. Plenty of names were linked, including Zenit St Petersburg’s Sardar Azmoun.
The Iranian was available for a bargain fee, and seemed like a no brainer for the Magpies. But instead, they went all out for proven Premier League goalscorer Chris Wood.
Hopefully that decision pays off, but it could lead Burnley to land our former target. The Express claim that they have offered around £10million to sign the 27-year-old striker.
It seems as though Newcastle have moved away from Azmoun since Wood arrived. They are similar in style, so it would make sense that Eddie Howe and co would look elsewhere for another forward. And their priority right now is a centre-back anyways.
But Newcastle’s decision to steal Wood from Burnley could create an intriguing story in the battle to avoid relegation.
Both Burnley and the Magpies are struggling, and they meet on the final day of the season at Turf Moor. Could Wood condemn his former club to the drop? Or perhaps a man Newcastle could’ve signed instead can prove they made a mistake?
Hopefully it’s the former. Or even better, it doesn’t even come down to the final day clash…
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
