Newcastle United have reportedly made a proposal to sign Andrea Belotti from Torino.
The Lowdown: Striker needed
With Callum Wilson unfortunately picking up a bad injury in the 1-1 draw against Manchester United at St James’ Park earlier in the week, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) consortium are now in a desperate hunt to bring in a new striker once the January transfer window opens.
They have already been linked with a move for Gabriel Barbosa, but clearly other targets have not been ruled out either.
The Latest: Belotti proposal
As per Tuttosport (via Sport Witness), Newcastle have now made a ‘very interesting’ proposal to Belotti’s entourage ‘in the last few hours’, although it is not made clear whether the offer is for January or in the summer.
Belotti only has six months left remaining on his current deal at Torino, so he could be sold next month at the risk of losing him on a free transfer. However, the Tyneside club may face competition from both AC Milan and Toronto FC for his signature.
The Verdict: No-brainer
Given Wilson’s injury, it is a no-brainer for the new owners at St James’ Park to try and snap up Belotti, so long as they can get him in January. With his contract situation, he is likely to come on the cheap, and at 28 years of age, he is now in his prime.
Described as ‘unique’ by former Torino manager Davide Nicola, the Italy international has been a goalscorer wherever he has played, with more than 150 at club level and 12 for the senior national side (Transfermarkt).
He is certainly more then capable of getting the goals to fire the Magpies up the table in Wilson’s absence, so they must do everything that they can in order to get him though the door next month.
In other news, find out who Nick Hammond is now closing in on signing