If there’s one thing Newcastle United have proven since the takeover, it’s that they will not be held to ransom.
Indeed, the club’s recruitment has been remarkable ever since PIF money made its way into St James’ Park.
Where many may have expected the club to make superstar signings, Newcastle have instead focused their attentions on younger players with the ability to grow.
While Champions League qualification obviously increases the need for a bigger squad, little about what the club have done in the transfer market so far would suggest they’re prepared to make too much of a departure from their existing strategy.
Which is why reports in Italy are interesting.
Newcastle’s talks with Napoli have left the club angry
According to Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport (via Sport Witness), Newcastle are one of a number of clubs who have held talks with Napoli over a move for striker Victor Osimhen.
It is claimed the Magpies, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid approached owner Aurelio De Laurentiis over the prospect of a deal.
Still, the demands of the Serie A champions are said to have left all of those clubs “outraged”, such is their desire to keep the Nigerian.
Previously, reports have suggested the forward would cost as much as £155m.
Hard to see Newcastle ever moving for that kind of money
Few would doubt Osimhen would be a statement signing.
Hailed as “the best striker in the world” by his agent, the former Lille star starred as Napoli stormed to the league title, scoring 26 times in 32 games.
Given the level of interest in him from around Europe, it’s still pretty strange to see Newcastle, a team fighting relegation not long ago, involved in the reports.
Still, the club have simply not spent the kind of talked about in regards to Osimhen and it’s hard to imagine them being willing to while dealing with FFP concerns.
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