In what would finally end their wait to welcome reinforcements, Newcastle United now reportedly want to hijack a Premier League rival's summer move to sign an attacking addition worth just £21m.
Newcastle transfer news
The Magpies have once again taken one step forward and two steps back this season, with Eddie Howe's squad struggling amid their lack of quality in depth for a second consecutive campaign.
It was an issue that they faced last season, but one that they still failed to solve in either the summer or January transfer window amid profit and sustainability concerns.
Now heading into the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool next weekend without both Anthony Gordon and Lewis Hall, Newcastle's lack of extended quality is set to be exposed once again.
Simply put, if those at St James' Park want to match their Champions League ambitions once again, they must find a way past their PSR problems - even if that means making certain sacrifices this summer.
Do that, and they can finally end their wait for reinforcements, which could see a key addition arrive. According to CaughtOffside, Newcastle now want to hijack Chelsea's move to sign Emanuel Emegha from Strasbourg, who valued their forward at around €25m (£21m) this summer.
Of course, the advantage that Chelsea have is the fact that owners BlueCo also have majority control of Strasbourg, making any summer deal far simpler to negotiate.
Lewis-Hall-Tonali-Schar-Isak-Gordon Related
[£42m Newcastle star who Howe loves "will" leave in future, agent reveals](https://www.footballfancast.com/newcastle-sandro-tonali-howe-loves-will-leave-in-future-agent-reveals/ "£42m Newcastle star who Howe loves "will" leave in future, agent reveals")
He'd be a huge loss for the Magpies.
However, Newcastle shoudn't be too discouraged. Emegha is an affordable, young option who could replace Callum Wilson. The former Bournemouth striker is currently on course to depart as a free agent this summer, leaving Howe without much-needed backup for Alexander Isak.
"Phenomenal" Emegha is one to watch
Whilst Emegha isn't perhaps yet ready for a starting place at St James' Park, he would instantly add to the attacking depth which Howe's side have so desperately lacked at times behind Isak this season.
Meanwhile, at 22 years old, he could eventually replace the Swede, who is reportedly on the radars of Liverpool and Arsenal ahead of the summer transfer window.
Dubbed "phenomenal" by football talent scout Jacek Kulig last month, Emegha has certainly earned his praise in the current campaign - scoring 11 goals and assisting another two in just 21 games in all competitions.
Given his potential to become even better, the forward's reported £21m price tag could become a bargain in the near future and one that Newcastle should act on when the summer transfer window arrives.
Ending their wait to splash the cash, Emegha should be the start of a summer spending spree on Tyneside.