Newcastle ‘lead Manchester United and Real Madrid’ for Serie A goal machine

Every transfer deal done before the deadline

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If Newcastle are able to avoid relegation this season, they are expected to invest heavily into their squad and attract top-quality players. However, a drop into the Championship would see those plans postponed for at least another year, with proven players unwilling to lower their standards – including Victor Osimhen.

The Nigerian forward was linked with a move to St. James’ Park in the January transfer window, and the Magpies are expected to return for the forward at the end of the season.

The Napoli striker has impressed in the Serie A with seven goals in 16 appearances, with his displays in the Europa League also catching the eye.

But Newcastle aren’t the only side interested in Osimhen, though they are his likeliest destination.

According to Italian radio host Luca Cerchione, via Sport Witness, there are three clubs interested in the 23-year-old, and ‘in order’ they are Newcastle, Manchester United and Real Madrid.

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Of course, Newcastle’s newfound finances will give them an advantage in negotiations with any players, but they will also need to convince those who are already playing on the biggest stages that they are committing to what will be a fruitful project.

It will be no surprise that United are eying up a striker in the summer, with Edinson Cavani out of contract at the end of the campaign and Mason Greenwood currently unavailable.

Marcus Rashford has also been deployed as a no.9 previously though is often seen to best effect on the wing, and Cristiano Ronaldo is 37 and thus not a long-term player to be built around.

Real Madrid are thought to view Osimhen as an option, but only if they are unable to secure at least one of their top targets.

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Los Blancos are expected to return for Kylian Mbappe in the summer when his contract with Paris Saint-Germain expires.

Madrid saw two bids for the French forward rejected last month but PSG will not be able to stand in the way of negotiations when the campaign draws to a close.

Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland is also a top target at the Santiago Bernabeu, but there will be plenty of interest in the Norwegian given that he has a £63million release clause that becomes active in the summer.

If neither player decide to join Madrid then Osimhen could be approached, though it is unlikely that the 23-year-old will sit around twiddling his thumbs, waiting for that phone call.

Newcastle signed Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn and Chris Wood in the January transfer window, and the injection of new talent has seen Eddie Howe’s side hit a good run of form.

The Magpies last lost in the Premier League on the 20th of December, to Manchester City, and victories over Aston Villa and Everton this month have seen them move two points outside of the relegation zone.

Talking to Premier League TV, Howe said: “This club will achieve great things. I’ve no doubt about that – and I haven’t since day one here.

“I want to bring success to Newcastle as quickly as humanly possible.”

It remains to be seen whether the former Bournemouth manager will be able to attract Osimhen to move to Tyneside and be one of the key figures in his project, or whether the ex-Lille star decides that a move to the Red Devils is a more exciting prospect.

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