Newcastle preparing summer bid for in-form Dutchman? - Big claims on transfer plans

Newcastle could be lining up a bid for one of the in-form players in Premier League this season, according to a recent press report.

It promises to be a big summer at St James' Park, with first-team signings essential after PSR has limited our spending and allowed Eddie Howe's squad to go a little stale in areas.

A right-winger is expected to arrive and it's claimed Toon chiefs plan to strengthen in all departments, but the latest name linked is a versatile attacker able to play in a number of attacking positions.

Newcastle preparing Kluivert move?

According to The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards, Newcastle have held internal talks over the prospective signing of current Bournemouth attacker Justin Kluivert, enjoying the best season of his career so far on the South Coast.

Not only that, the North East reporter hints that a summer bid could be on the cards, saying it 'would not be a surprise' if the club tested Bournemouth's resolve based on our growing interest leading up to the summer.

"Justin Kluivert is yet another Bournemouth player who has featured prominently in preliminary transfer discussions and it would not be a surprise if Newcastle make a bid."

Having scored a hat-trick at St James’ Park for the Cherries earlier in the campaign, Kluivert looks like a player reborn under Andoni Iraola, and has been instrumental to Bournemouth’s success so far with 13 goals and seven assists.

The son of former Toon striker Patrick Kluivert started for the Netherlands last night in their 2-2 draw with Spain in the Nations League, assisting Cody Gakpo's opener.

Dutchman could give Howe another option

Kluivert is part of a growing crop of Premier League players who are proficient and versatile across the attack lineup, being able to play down either flank or in that no.10 role.

With European football guaranteed for next season, Newcastle will need all the attacking options they can get in order to compete and properly rotate between important fixtures.

Kluivert has also flourished in Iraola's high-pressing, high-energy side, which will no doubt have impressed Howe. For the club, we'd also bee weakening a resurgent Bournemouth side currently in the mix for a top six finish.

Does Kluivert fit Howe’s system?

Though a signing like Kluivert is a clear sign of Newcastle’s intent in the upcoming transfer market, one would have to question if it’s the right signing at the right time?

There’s the dilemma of having to integrate the Dutchman into a side that don’t utilise a no.10 in Howe's current 4-3-3 system, and it’s unlikely that Kluivert could displace Anthony Gordon in the hierarchy of starting wingers.

With Bournemouth also having a £50m release clause for the in-demand Dean Huijsen, a similar Premier League premium may be attached that could force Newcastle to look elsewhere.

That said, whether we're playing in Europe on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday night between Premier League games next season, more attacking depth and the option to switch to a system involving a no.10 may well appeal to Howe.

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