An update has emerged on Newcastle target Adam Armstrong, regarding Blackburn's interest in his services.
What's the talk?
According to The Sun, Watford have joined the race to land Newcastle transfer target Adam Armstrong and are willing to offer Andre Gray as part of an exchange deal for the Blackburn star. The Championship side are said to value the Englishman at £25m, despite his contract expiring at the end of next season.
Newcastle, Southampton and West Ham have also been linked with the forward. Rovers signed him from the Magpies, who will receive a whopping 40% of any profit made if they sell him to a club outside of Tyneside.
Upgrade on Joelinton
The Magpies must firm up their interest in Armstrong and chase a deal for the forward. Watford appear to be serious about a move for the goal machine and Mike Ashley cannot allow one of the club's rivals in the Premier League to beat them to this deal.
Newcastle hold a key advantage in the race, given that they have the 40% sell-on clause in his contract. Blackburn reportedly paid £1.7m, which means that the Toon Army would get 40% of £23.3m should they sell him for £25m this summer - almost £7m. That is a rather large chunk of change Blackburn would be missing out on and Newcastle could waive their rights to the 40% to get a better deal for Armstrong to blow their competitors out of the water.
If they could get him through the door, he would be a hefty upgrade on Joelinton.
The Brazilian has scored just six Premier League goals in 55 starts since joining the club, whilst providing four assists. This shows that he has struggled to make a real impact in England in front of goal, with the attacker unable to consistently find the back of the net. Considering he moved for a whopping £40m, that tally is woeful.
Armstrong, however, managed 28 league goals in the second tier last season and knows how to beat the goalkeeper regularly.
Blackburn boss Tony Mowbray heaped praise on the “explosive” striker and said that he made a difference throughout the campaign.
He told FourFourTwo: "Adam does (make a difference) as he has done all season. I think Adam has matured and he’s only 23.
“He’s a boy really, but his explosive pace at the top end of the pitch allows you to play both ways, to not be overly concerned if you’re pinned back around the edge of your box because one pass releases pressure to someone like (Harvey) Elliott to play the pass that he can hit just leaving it in the space for the speed and dynamic movement of Armstrong – it’s a devastating effect for the team."
The 24-year-old was directly involved in 33 Championship goals (28 goals & five assists), averaging an excellent WhoScored rating of 7.15. This shows that he could be the clinical goalscorer Joelinton hasn't been for Steve Bruce's side and provide Callum Wilson with a worthy strike partner next term.
AND in other news, Forget Willock: NUFC must land "unbelievable" £17k-p/w beast, Bruce would love him...