Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce must land VfL Wolfsburg and Netherlands striker Wout Weghorst amid The Athletic's fresh transfer update.
What's the story?
In an article from their EUROs build-up ,The Athletic have written that Newcastle were one of the clubs interested in the Dutchamn last season, and added: "Weghorst might not be the forward who will kick off half a dozen transfers of top centre-forwards this season, but somewhere along the line, there’s a good chance he’ll be one of the benefactors if the dominos start falling.
"The 28-year-old had already attracted plenty of suitors 12 months ago following a fine season for Wolfsburg (20 goals in 43 games), when Tottenham and Newcastle made preliminary advances among others. The German club are expecting more concrete offers this summer.
"Wolfsburg have qualified for the Champions League, in no small part thanks to the 28-year-old’s 20 league goals in 2020-21 but that won’t mean the Dutch striker will necessarily stay. There’s an understanding that he will be allowed to leave if certain conditions are met — about 30 million certain conditions, to be exact."
Perfect for the Premier League
German publication BILD claimed last summer that the Magpies wanted to sign the Dutchman during the transfer window, with fellow Premier League side Arsenal also said to be interested.
And while a deal failed to materialise, this latest update should have Bruce all over it this time around.
In the 6 foot 6 Weghorst, Newcastle could land someone most similar to Alan Shearer. Aside from his ridiculous physical gifts and advantage in the air - he won 2.8 aerial duels per game in the Bundesliga last season - the Dutchman has some pretty nifty footwork, and also has the vision to bring his teammates into play.
As per Whoscored, the 28-year-old averaged an impressive 1.3 key passes per match in the German top-flight, picking up eight assists in total.
And like Shearer, Weghorst works his socks off for his team playing in that central striker role. His fellow Wolfsburg ace, Admir Mehmedi, said: "He runs a lot for the team and has a really strong mentality. I can't think of another player who is so crazy, in a positive way!"
Weghorst has even been likened to Jamie Vardy by The Athletic's Bundesliga expert Raphael Honigstein, in terms of his relentless work rate in leading the line on his own.
He said: "(Weghorst is) Holland’s taller, chunkier answer to Jamie Vardy — minus the bit with the electronic tag and the Skittles-flavoured vodka — still plays like he’s got a point to prove in every match. He flies into tackles, wins more headers than almost anyone and frequently tops his team’s charts for most distance covered."
That work-rate is echoed by former head coach, Bruno Labbadia, who said: "(Wout) runs a lot, he's tireless."
[snack-amp-story url="https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/newcastle-united-steve-bruce-premier-league-magpies-transfer-gossip-rumours-news-st-james-park-mike-ashley-takeover-pif" title="Read the latest Newcastle transfer rumours and news!"]
The £27m-rated striker's physicality and intensity makes him the perfect fit for the hustle and bustle of the Premier League, and could add some real firepower to Bruce's side at St James' Park.
Meanwhile, Steve Bruce is eyeing a move for this 6 ft 4 powerhouse...