Newcastle United's clever transfer policy seems set to continue with the club targeting a young Bundesliga star this summer.
Manager Eddie Howe is being hailed for his work thus far in the North East, leading the club to a League Cup final last season and perhaps more critically, a top four finish. It means next season represents a return to the Champions League for the Magpies for the first time since the 2002/03 campaign.
Howe is being widely tipped to spend big this summer as the club looked to build on their promising campaign. It's a notion they've so far resisted since the 2021 takeover from the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund, despite the record signing of Alexander Isak for £63million last summer.
And now another shrewd move appears on the cards, with Newcastle linked with one of European football's promising young stars. According to the Telegraph, Hertha Berlin striker Derry Scherhant could soon be pushing for a first team place at St James' Park.
The 20-year-old German would undoubtedly be a signing with the future very much in mind for Howe, having only made 10 Bundesliga appearances so far, eight of which as a sub. The majority of those appearances came towards the end of the campaign as Hertha battled in vain against relegation.
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The forward scored once for the senior side, although was prolific with the second XI, striking eight times in 12 matches to go with the 16 goals of the previous season. And he's only likely to cost the Premier League club around £1.5 million, pittance in today's market.
The links seem further evidence that Howe is reluctant to get carried away with his spending, despite James Maddison being touted for a big money move to St James' Park. And it follows the capture of West Ham under 21 defender Harrison Ashby last January.
The club are set for a £100million pus boost to their income to help fuel their desire to compete at Europe's top table. The fourth placed finish has guaranteed more than £50million from prize money and TV revenue.
They will earn a further £20million extra if, like on their last foray under Sir Bobby Robson 20 years ago, they can advance beyond the initial group stage. A new shirt sponsor is set to be announced by the owners in July, which will boost funds made from kit from £8million a year to around £25 million.
