An update has emerged on Newcastle United and their interest in Armando Broja in the summer transfer window... 

What's the talk?

Mark Douglas, of iNews, has claimed that the Magpies are now back in the race to sign the Chelsea forward ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.

He tweeted: "Broja still an option for NUFC. Club working hard to make additions in a difficult market. No sense of panic - forward players were always going to be more difficult to get."

His accompanying article states that Everton are also looking into a £30m deal for the gem after West Ham United dropped out of the race for the youngster, with the Hammers opting to move for Gianluca Scamacca instead of the Albanian international.

Perfect Gayle replacement

The Magpies recently confirmed the departure of long-serving centre-forward Dwight Gayle on a permanent deal to Championship outfit Stoke, after six years on Tyneside.

He played a supporting role in his last two campaigns at the club in the Premier League, sitting behind Callum Wilson and then Chris Wood in the pecking order. Across those seasons, he managed one goal in 26 outings under Steve Bruce and Eddie Howe combined.

In Broja, Newcastle can find the perfect replacement for Gayle as he has the quality to genuinely compete for a place in the team and the potential to improve over time.

The £8.5k-per-week gem is still in the infancy of his career at the age of 20 and has time on his side to develop into a key player for the Magpies.

Albania's assistant manager Sergio Porrini hailed his progress last term, saying: “From last year to this he has grown a lot, and at Southampton, he has exploded.

“His greatest qualities are in progression, especially the ball and chain. (He’s) less good, on the other hand, with his back to the goal, in the construction of the action. But, in the spaces, he is devastating!"

He ended the 2021/22 campaign with 13 goals and two assists for club and country, including six goals in 21 starts in the Premier League.

These statistics suggest that he would be a major upgrade on Gayle as he would offer far more in front of goal than the Englishman, whilst also being 12 years younger and being a prospect for the future as well as an asset in the here and now.

Therefore, he can come in and challenge Wood and Wilson for serious minutes in the side. This would create healthy competition in the team and leave Howe with some welcomed selection headaches to deal with.

AND in other news: Howe could land his own Dias for Newcastle in £38m deal to sign "underrated" colossus