Your Newcastle United transfer round-up for Sunday, August 21.
Paqueta aiming higher than NUFC
Lucas Paqueta wants to join a bigger club than Newcastle, according to French outlet But! Football Club. Rumours have circulated linking the Brazilian to the Magpies ever since his best friend Bruno Guimaraes joined in January.
However, nothing concrete has materialised from Newcastle’s end, despite pleas from supporters to reunite the duo. Arsenal are another club that continues to be linked with the 24-year-old.
ChronicleLive understood earlier in the window that Lyon were demanding around £58million for Paqueta. However, it is unclear whether their stance has softened. This latest report suggests Newcastle would not be a preferred destination should they show genuine interest in the player.
‘Given up’ on Maddison
GiveMeSport are reporting that the Magpies have ended their pursuit of James Maddison. Toon chiefs had two bids knocked back for the Leicester City midfielder earlier this month.
Reporter Ben Jacobs - a Foxes fan - revealed Newcastle have been priced out of a move. He told the outlet: “The briefing that I’ve been given from sources close to Newcastle’s owners is, for now, they’ve given up on James Maddison.
“They won’t return with a big bid at this point and that’s because they don’t believe that Leicester will sell.”
Toon want Gomez - Sky Sports Germany
Sky Sports Germany claim Newcastle are chasing Valencia striker Maxi Gomez. Journalist Florian Plettenberg namechecked the Magpies, alongside Everton, Fenerbahce and Valencia, as possible destinations for the striker.
Gomez only bagged five goals in 29 La Liga appearances last season, hardly convincing numbers as Newcastle aim to strengthen their attacking options. At international level, the 26-year-old has fared equally as average under the shadow of Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani.
Football analytical website transfermarkt.com values the forward at £10.8million. With two years remaining on his contract, offloading now would give Valencia the best chance of receiving a sizable fee before his value plummets next year.
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