Newcastle United target Darwin Nunez is set to snub transfer interest from any club this summer that is not playing in the Champions League.
Newcastle are among a number of clubs who have been linked with Benfica striker Nunez over interest in a summer move, with Manchester United, Arsenal and West Ham United also linked with a keenness in the 22-year-old Uruguayan forward.
However, The Telegraph have reported that Nunez would not be interested in a move to join Eddie Howe’s side, or any other club in the summer if they are not playing in the Champions League next season.
Nunez has had a stellar campaign in Portugal, netting 33 times in 38 matches this term in all competitions, with six of his goals coming across ten appearances in the Champions League. His 25 goals from as many league games in the Portuguese top-flight put him seven clear of any other player.
However, with Newcastle set to be out of the running for the Benfica star, they are said to now be turning their attentions to a player that the club know very well.
The same report claims that with a striker on the top of Howe’s summer shopping list, they are targeting a move to bring Brentford top scorer Ivan Toney back to St James’ Park.
Is Ivan Toney the striker Newcastle need next season to match their lofty ambitions? Let us know in the comments section below.
Toney spent three years at Newcastle between 2015 and 2018, making just four first-team appearances and leaving for loan spells with Barnsley (twice), Shrewsbury Town, Scunthorpe United (twice) and Wigan Athletic before permanently leaving to join Peterborough United.
They are now said to be back in the hunt for their former striker this season, with a fee north of £30m being touted for a striker that they sold for just £650,000 four years ago.
Since Toney and Brentford were promoted up to the Premier League last season, he has scored 12 goals in 28 top-flight games. He is joint-top scorer for English players in the league alongside Tottenham Hotspur star and England captain Harry Kane.
The report also suggests that Newcastle will look to revitalise their interest in £12m Reims striker Hugo Ekitike. The 19-year-old almost joined the Magpies in January, but the move collapsed on deadline day.
Ekitike has scored nine Ligue 1 goals in 21 league matches for Reims this season, with Newcastle short on goals despite the £25m signing of Chris Wood from Burnley in the summer.
Callum Wilson (six) has been Howe's side's top scorer in the Premier League this season. However, he has not played this year following a calf injury.
