Eddie Howe and Co are ready for a busy summer rebuilding the Newcastle United squad
Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen.
Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen(Image: Molly Darlington/Getty Images)
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Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen would be the perfect No 9 for Newcastle United - and they can help fund the deal by agreeing to let Sandro Tonali leave for £80m.
That's the verdict of former United and England winger Chris Waddle, who feels the Nigerian frontman would be an ideal fit for the Magpies.
Osimhen, 27, has been linked with a move to the Premier League after getting his career back in track in Turkey following an acrimonious exit from Italan side Napoli.
The striker has bagged 22 goals in 33 appearances for Galatasaray this season, and has attacted interest from around Europe.
Newcastle are on the lookout for a goalscoring forward, with neither Nick Woltemade nor Yoane Wissa able to step into Alexander Isak's shoes last season, and Waddle feels Osimhen would be ideal for the Magpies, and several other Premier League sides.
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United have to sell to help fund their transfer spending this summer, with Anthony Gordon expected to leave for Bayern Munich next month, and Waddle concedes that selling Italian midfielder Sandro Tonali would be something they may have to consider.
Speaking to BOYLE Sports, who offer the latest football odds, Waddle said: *"*I like Victor Osimhen. He works very hard. I’ve watched him five or six times this year in Turkey and I like his work ethic.
"He's a player who wants to win and he works really hard to win. He always runs hard. He's always wanting to put himself about.
"I was surprised he went to Turkey. I know he gets looked after over there but he's better than the Turkish league. I was very surprised when he was linked with Chelsea that it didn’t happen. He was perfect for them and perfect for the Premier League.
"He’d still be a great fit for any team in the Premier League and I’d like to get him in as the No 9 for Newcastle because he’s very consistent, very mobile, a good technical player who’s good in the air and his work rate’s great. If he were to become available, there would be at least five clubs trying to chase him down, let alone Newcastle.
Sandro Tonali has been linked with a move away from Newcastle United this summer.
Sandro Tonali has been linked with a move away from Newcastle United this summer(Image: 2026 Newcastle United)
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"Now if somebody comes in and offers £80m for Sandro Tonali, Newcastle have to take a serious look at that because it’s massive money and sometimes you’ve got to take that money.
"When I left Tottenham Hotspur for Marseille they sold me. I didn’t ask to leave the football club. They sold me because they got a very good offer for me."
Newcastle will target the European places next season after their disappointing 12th place finish, and Waddle has backed them to push into the top six next term.
"Who will be Premier League champions next season? I think it’s going to be between the same two clubs again and I’m going to go with Manchester City," he said.
"Arsenal will finish second. I think Aston Villa will come in third. Liverpool will finish fourth, Chelsea fifth and sixth could be a club like Bournemouth, Brighton or Brentford if one of them brings in the right three or four players this summer and hits the ground running.
"I think if Eddie Howe is allowed to bring four or five players in then Newcastle United will get the sixth spot."
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