Newcastle United are thought to hold an advantage on two Premier League rivals for a Bournemouth star who has impressed on Tyneside already this season.
Investment into the first team squad is expected for the Magpies this summer after a lacklustre few windows and a few attackers have been linked in recent weeks, such as Benjamin Sesko, Jonathan David, Liam Delap and Tammy Abraham.
A Cherries side that battered us 4-1 in January while our sporting director Paul Mitchell watched on from the stands has since seen several of their starters linked with a move to the Toon – and none had a better afternoon that day than a certain someone…
According to Lee Ryder at The Chronicle, Justin Kluivert is the latest Bournemouth star on Newcastle United’s radar ahead of the summer transfer window.
He claims the Dutchman will cost in excess of £25m – which is no surprise on current form – but crucially states that the versatile attacker could favour a move to Newcastle over Man Utd or Spurs after being ‘impressed by the project’ under our Saudi owners.
Adaptable Kluivert has notched 13 goals and seven assists in the Premier League this season playing as a false 9, down both flanks and a No. 10 – where he scored a hat-trick from at St. James’ Park this season as Mitchell watched on from the stands.
Fellow Cherries Dean Huijsen, Antoine Semenyo and Illia Zabarnyi have also been linked with a move to Newcastle, where Justin’s dad Patrick played in 2004/05.
Considering Eddie Howe’s connection with the club and Bournemouth’s impressive season, it seems likely we will open negotiations this summer.
Ryder suggests that whether or not Callum Wilson departs this summer will be pivotal to whether or not a deal can be concluded for Kluivert.
Though Wilson doesn’t wouldn’t be competing with Kluivert for position per se, clearing the 33-year-olds wages from the book would help Newcastle to afford the move with other areas of the squad needing investment.
In addition to a versatile forward in Kluivert’s likeness, the Toon board also hope to add a right-sided centre back, right winger and goalkeeper this summer.
To complete the ambitious overhaul, they may well have no choice but to allow Wilson to leave on a free upon the expiry of his contract on June 30.
Justin Kluivert's hat-trick helps Bournemouth snap Newcastle streak