Michael Bridges has said that Newcastle United should be looking to take advantage of the situation at Juventus when it comes to transfers this summer.
Speaking on The GegenPod Michael Bridges waved away suggestions that Newcastle should look to bring in James Ward-Prowse from relegated Southampton, suggesting that the Magpies should be aiming higher.
Instead, the former striker who made six appearances for Newcastle, said Eddie Howe should be looking at Dusan Vlahovic of Juventus, saying (h/t The Chronicle): “It is so much easier to be able to go to a player and say will you come to this football club to play Champions League football. I was looking at the game a few weeks back when they played Southampton, and to think a player like Ward-Prowse was on the radar for Newcastle United, it would be an easy target to go and get someone like him now Southampton are going down.
Bridges says Newcastle should exploit the situation at Juventus
“He’s off the shopping list now, there’s no chance. You’re talking about people like [Marcelo] Brozovic, people at Juventus like Vlahovic with the points deduction that they’ve just had. There’s players available who will want to come and play, and it’ll be an easier move to get a black-and-white shirt from Juve to Newcastle.
“It’s going to be a very, very interesting summer and there’s going to be some very big names. The names I keep hearing are [James] Maddison, and Brozovic is another big name that is being bounded about as well.”
While I’m not sure the colour of a team’s shirt really fits into a player’s thinking when they choose to sign for a club, the idea that Newcastle should look to take advantage of Juve’s points deduction is a good one.
Vlahovic has been described as ‘one of the best in the world‘ in his position and it’s believed that Chelsea have already made a £70million bid for the Serbian.
Vlahovic would be a fantastic addition alongside Isak
At that price it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that Newcastle could make a bid, however wages could be an issue.
Vlahovic has bagged 14 goals and provided four assists in his 42 appearances for Juventus in all competitions this season. That’s a bit of a step down from his 29 goals from 45 games last season.
Regardless of the dip in goals, Vlahovic would be an excellent addition to Newcastle’s squad going into a Champions League campaign, and picking him up for £70million would be amazing business. Bearing in mind that he’s still only 23, Newcastle would then have two of the hottest young forwards in Europe along with Alexander Isak, backed up by the experienced Callum Wilson.