One of the areas Eddie Howe seems determined to improve at Newcastle United ahead of next season is the attack.
The arrival of Chris Wood certainly helped the Magpies climb back up the table, making himself a handful for most defenders, but his two goals in 16 appearances aren’t exactly prolific.
This means Newcastle need someone to complement the New Zealand international, and while there is a lot of talk of players like Victor Osimhen being targets, someone like Giovanni Simeone could make more sense.
He would be far cheaper despite having more Serie A goals than him this season, and Hellas Verona could be willing sellers if the right offer comes in.
That’s what Corriere di Verona are reporting on Friday, explaining that the Italian club ‘will redeem him from Cagliari’ by paying them €10.5m, and ‘then it will be up to the management to decide whether to keep the player or whether to open the auction to get him’.
In Italy, Napoli are thinking of Simeone, but ‘it’s above all abroad that teams are ready to present a substantial offer’ to buy the Argentine.
It’s pointed out that West Ham asked for information about him in January, but ‘now there is Newcastle’, suggesting the Magpies are hovering for his signing.
It certainly makes sense, and could be a more financially astute purchase for the Premier League club than throwing €100m or so at Napoli for Victor Osimhen.