Paul Mitchell a 'big fan' of striker with €5m clause as Newcastle eye double deal

This summer should be a busy one at Newcastle United, but it won't just be first team upgrades arriving at St James' Park.

All eyes will be on moves for a right-winger, centre-back, striker and goalkeeper, with the likes of Bryan Mbeumo, Marc Guehi, Liam Delap and James Trafford all heavily linked.

However, sporting director Paul Mitchell is also on a mission to sign young talent, with Malaga's Antonio Cordero already secured along with Georgian forward Vakhtang Salia, who will arrive in August when he turns 18.

Cordero's seemingly imminent arrival has seen the club tap into the Spanish market and it seems another hidden gem in that part of the world is also on Mitchell's wishlist as we look to recruit more young talent.

Mitchell eyeing another Spanish raid

Last week, reports in Spain linked Newcastle United with a move for Christian Kofane; an 18-year-old striker currently impressing in the Spanish second tier.

Mundo Deportivo reported that we'd made contact with Albacete over a potential move, but faced competition from a number of European rivals.

A week later, The Chronicle's Lee Ryder has added to this by revealing that Paul Mitchell is a 'big fan' of the 18-year-old Cameroonian and hoping to make Kofane his second capture from the Spanish Segunda Division this summer.

However, our sporting director is facing competition from France and Spain, with Lille, Mónaco, Betis, Real Madrid, and Barcelona all thought to be interested.

As revealed by sources in Spain, Kofane has a €5m (£4.25m) release clause in his contract and it's thought Newcastle scouts have been watching his progress closely ahead of a potential summer move.

The youngster has enjoyed a breakout season with Albacete, scoring six and setting up one in 16 LaLiga2 appearances this term.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-N6rde5rS8&ab_channel=UnderratedPlayers

New scouting missions revealed

After a frustrating summer on Tyneside last year, Paul Mitchell told the media that Newcastle must 'widen the net' in their search for future stars, insisting PSR will not allow us to sign ready-made superstars every window.

Salia will arrive soon from Georgia, Miodrag Pivas came in from Serbia last summer and we've previously tapped into the Australian (Garang Kuol) and Danish (Yankuba Minteh) market, but it seems Spain and Portugal have now been targeted.

The Chronicle reveal that a 'major scouting drive' has taken place in both Spain and Portugal, with Toon talent spotters targeting both nations in our continued search for top talent.

South America is also one to watch after Steve Nickson's recent trip to Venezuela, with our head of recruitment also at the Under-17 African Cup of Nations this year, as revealed by Craig Hope at The Mail.