Newcastle respond to €50m transfer rumour - Club 'mystified' and name being used?

Transfer season is almost upon us and with that comes a flurry of rumours and reports around who we could sign.

It seems the club will pursue a striker, right winger, centre-back and goalkeeper this summer, although some of the names linked in recent weeks appear to be wide of the mark.

A certain Bundesliga forward has been tipped to arrive on Tyneside, with the media in Germany making some big claims over the past fortnight around Victor Boniface.

Newcastle have clearly been made aware of the rumour and appear to have briefed one of the local press pack to set the record straight.

Toon hit back at striker rumour

Newcastle Untied have distanced themselves from a move for Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface.

Just last week, well-known German outlet SportBILD reported that Newcastle were in discussions over a €50m (£42m) move, with the player keen to leave after struggling for regular starts over the 2024/25 season.

However, The Telegraph's Luke Edwards has revealed that Newcastle's stance is one of confusion, with the club 'mystified' by reports suggesting we are pushing to sign the Nigerian.

Edwards reports that the German's are eager to sell the unsettled 24-year-old and suspects that Newcastle's name is being used in the media to 'drum up interest'.

In a post on X this morning, he said: 'Newcastle United are not currently discussing a move for Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface and are mystified by reports they are actively pursuing the player. The German club are desperate to sell the Nigeria international and it seems Newcastle’s name being used to drum up interest.'

£30m forward pursued instead?

An alternative to Boniface who appears to be a genuine target is Ipswich's Liam Delap.

The 22-year-old ticks so many boxes for Eddie Howe, being a young, aggressive England Under-21 international who has Premier League experience and plenty of room to grow into a top striker.

TalkSPORT reported yesterday that Toon officials plan to hold talks with Delap 'this week' to pitch a move to St James' Park, with the forward assessing all of his options now Newcastle, Chelsea and Man Utd have all showed a willingness to activate his £30m release clause.