An update has emerged on Newcastle United and their pursuit of Valencia forward Maxi Gomez in the summer transfer window... 

What's the talk?

Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg has revealed that the Magpies are one of a number of teams keen on signing the attacker.

The player is available for a fee in the region of £10m, although it remains to be seen if the Toon will submit an offer or not.

Plettenberg said: "Excl. News Maxi #Gomez: The 26 y/o striker wants to leave Valencia. Gladbach bosses should like the player (next to Beljo), talks took place. But: Price tag around €12m at this stage. Still too expensive for Borussia! Also in: Everton, Newcastle and Fenerbahce."

Imagine him & Callum Wilson

By striking a deal to bring Gomez to St. James' Park in the coming weeks, Newcastle could form an exciting competition for the number nine position.

Callum Wilson has been a superb signing for the Magpies since arriving from Bournemouth in 2020 because he has proven himself to be a reliable goalscorer.

In just over two Premier League seasons on Tyneside, the England international has started 41 matches and found the back of the net 21 times. This shows he knows how to beat the goalkeeper in the English top-flight and is a terrific option for Eddie Howe when fit.

However, however, he is not always available as he has had trouble with injuries since joining the club, missing 35 games across six injuries in his first two seasons.

His sketchy injury record is why bringing in another number nine to challenge him could be a smart move by the Magpies.

Newcastle could now land strong competition for his place by landing Gomez as the Uraguay international is a proven goalscorer at the top level. He has scored 52 times and set up 21 in 165 appearances in La Liga throughout his career, including 31 strikes in his two campaigns for Celta Vigo in the Spanish top flight.

Spanish football expert Tim Vickery previously tipped him to suit the physicality of English football and said:

"He is fearsomely strong. Opponents almost bounce off him, he is so physically strong. He is known as 'The Bull'. You look at him and physically, he is a bull. He is a very, very strong, powerful centre-forward with plenty of technical gifts as well."

This suggests that he would be able to hit the ground running in the Premier League, whilst Newcastle's interest in him indicates that Howe believes he will suit how the team is going to play this season.

The marksman is also reliable in terms of his availability. He has only missed 19 games through injury since moving to Celta in 2017, compared to Wilson's 47 in that time, and this means that he could cover for the former Cherries man throughout the campaign.

Now, imagine the pair competing for the number nine position every week, pushing each other to score goals and win vital points for the club.