Newcastle move on in search for new No.10 as Nkunku agrees loan-to-buy switch
Newcastle United are closing in on the signing of a top-class No.6, with Man City's Nico Gonzalez now in advanced talks to arrive.
That would be a huge boost for Matthias Jaissle and big win for Ross Wilson, but our sporting director still has plenty of work to do.
As good as we looked yesterday, with Yoane Wissa and Joe Willock both shining from that No.10 role, Newcastle are crying out for a natural second striker able to play just behind the front man.
One man tipped to arrive has been AC Milan's Christopher Nkunku, but the Frenchman is one to scratch off the list heading into the final seven days of the summer transfer window.
Nkunku won't be signing this summer
Newcastle United have walked away from any deal to sign AC Milan's Christopher Nkunku, who is closing in on a return to Germany.
The club had enquired about a potential move for the 28-year-old, but it emerged over the weekend that he prefers a move to former side RB Leipzig.
Fabrizio Romano confirms that Leipzig have reached verbal agreement to sign Nknunku on a loan-to-buy deal, paying an initial €3.5m loan fee which includes a buy option clause worth just shy of €30m.
Sky Germany's Florian Plettenberg reports that 'Newcastle wanted to hijack' the deal, but Nkunku is eager to return to his former club in Germany, allowing us to walk away and focus on other targets.
What now in our No.10 search?
It won't be easy to sign a quality, suitable option at the right price so late in the day, but we can expect a LOT of movement up and down the Premier League over the next week.
Looking at domestic options, Newcastle have been admirers of Bournemouth's Justin Kluivert and Wolves' Mateus Mane for some time, while Brentford's Mikkel Damsgaard would offer the creative spark we lack.
Moving abroad, Bayer Leverkusen's Ibrahim Maza was scouted during his Schalke days and looks a top talent, while Newcastle have long-standing interest in Morocco's Bilal El Khannouss, now at Stuttgart.
Villarreal's Georges Mikautadze is an impressive second-striker who has shone since moving to Spain from Lyon, while Athletic Bilbao's Oihan Sancet is another option Newcastle have tracked in recent seasons.
