Newcastle United are believed to be eyeing a potential swoop for Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic next summer, according to reports in Italy.
What's the word?
As per Calciomercatoweb, the Magpies are said to have their sights set on landing the Serbian marksman at the end of the season, with the 22-year-old seemingly a 'dream' addition if the Tynesiders are able to secure Champions League qualification.
The report suggests that the St James' Park outfit could even be willing to include club-record arrival, Alexander Isak, as part of the deal, despite having only recently splashed out roughly £59m to bring the promising Swede to England back in August.
As for Vlahovic, the 17-cap sensation had previously been linked with a move to the Premier League to join Arsenal back in January, before ultimately securing a switch to Turin for a reported fee of around £67m in that same window.
Forget Isak
It may be somewhat ludicrous to think that Eddie Howe and co would already be willing to part ways with the aforementioned Isak, although it has been a frustrating start to life in his new surroundings for the former Real Sociedad hotshot, having featured only three times thus far due to injury.
While there has rightly been much excitement about his addition to the northeast side - a fact only heightened by the 23-year-old scoring on debut against Liverpool at Anfield - supporters may well accept an exit if it can lead to Vlahovic's arrival, with the latter man arguably a more prolific and ferocious presence.
Prior to the start of this season, the 6 foot 3 ace had scored 45 goals across his previous two Serie A campaigns, while the current Newcastle star only netted 23 goals in La Liga in that time, including an underwhelming haul of six strikes last term.
In the case of Vlahovic, the £218k-per-week giant has notably earned comparisons to Manchester City talisman and Premier League leading scorer, Erling Haaland, as a result of his lethal finishing prowess, with transfer insider Dean Jones previously stating:
"Vlahovic is a bit like Haaland. He is just unbelievable with what he can do – his positioning, his runs and his style of play. His confidence, at times, is ridiculous.”
Pundit Micah Richards has added to that glowing praise by previously suggesting that the former Partizan Belgrade ace is something of an all-round package when leading the line: “He is lightning. It’s ridiculous. He has got 16 in 18 this season. His left foot is like a wand. I am telling you now, he is everything, he is everything you need.”
While there have been struggles for the towering forward so far this term with the Old Lady - with journalist Emmet Gates suggesting that he is a "Ferrari being driven like a Fiat" by coach Max Allegri - the "generational" talent, as described by Gates, still boasts a haul of seven goals in just 15 outings across all fronts.
As such, although it would potentially be a bizarre scenario to part ways with Isak so swiftly, it is hard to deny the undoubted quality of the man who could well replace him. Indeed, he appears to have 'everything' Howe needs to take the Toon to the next level.