Newcastle United are now likely to offer £17m to sign Bruno Guimaraes backup

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It is going to be a very busy end to the summer transfer window for Newcastle United.

The Magpies are focussed on signing a centre-back, and Newcastle are now hopeful that Marc Guehi will join from Crystal Palace.

That looks likely to be a club record deal, with Guehi on course to become Newcastle’s most expensive signing ever.

Newcastle are also ‘actively looking’ to sign a winger, while there could also be departures. Kieran Trippier wants to leave Newcastle, despite Eddie Howe’s desire for him to remain at St James’ Park.

There is so much going on ahead of the transfer window closing on August 30th, and now there are suggestions that the Magpies could be about to bid for a defensive midfielder.

Newcastle United linked with bid for Olympiacos midfielder Santiago Hezze

Those suggestions come from overseas, with Newcastle United reportedly interested in one of Olympiacos’ Europa Conference League winners.

It was first reported by Argentinian journalist Gaston Edul that Newcastle United are planning to make an offer for Olympiacos midfielder Santiago Hezze this summer.

Now a report from Greece has provided more details of the Magpies’ interest in the 22-year-old.

According to Sportime, Newcastle United are likely to offer more than £17million for Hezze.

They describe Hezze as a player who has ‘a lot more to give’, before suggesting that this explains why Eddie Howe’s side are interested.

Who is Newcastle target Santiago Hezze?

Hezze is a 22-year-old defensive midfielder who joined Olympiacos last summer from Argentinian side Huracan.

He came through the Huracan academy and made more than 100 appearances before moving to Europe in 2023.

Hezze’s first year with Olympiacos ended with silverware, as they beat Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final. He played the full game against the Serie A side, in what was his 50th appearance of the season.

The midfielder has also had a busy summer, representing Argentina Under-23s at the Olympic games in Paris. His side were knocked out in the quarter finals, losing 1-0 to France.

Hezze comes from a footballing family, with his uncle Antonio Mohamed winning four caps for Argentina back in 1991.

Hezze could provide cover for Bruno Guimaraes

If Newcastle do decide to make a move for Hezze, it would suggest they are keen to bring in cover for Bruno Guimaraes.

The Toon captain is Eddie Howe’s most important player, and is the only member of the squad that can play the coveted ‘number six’ role. While Newcastle have plenty of midfielders, there is no one else that can do what Bruno does in front of the defence.

That is why a deal for someone like Hezze could make sense, and it will be interesting to see if this one progresses between now and August 30th.