According to the Daily Express, Newcastle United are actively working on a deal to sign Atletico Madrid’s experienced French striker, Kevin Gameiro.

It is believed that Mike Ashley has allowed Newcastle to move for the 30-year-old, and the fee could be in the region of £16m.

What’s the story?

Despite Mike Ashley’s established reluctance to spend sizeable fees on transfer targets, it is being reported that the owner has allowed Rafa Benitez to pursue a move for the former Sevilla forward, Kevin Gameiro.

Despite scoring 16 goals and providing seven assists for Atletico last season, the arrival of Diego Costa has rendered the French striker surplus to requirements, and Newcastle are seemingly keen to exploit his availability.

If a move for Gameiro were to materialise, it would force the Magpies to match or even better the club record fee that they paid to sign Michael Owen from Real Madrid in 2005.

What will Gameiro bring?

Throughout the entirety of his professional career, the French striker has displayed his impressive capability to score goals. To date, he has scored 183 goals in 466 games, and he has contributed to 27 goals in 56 games for Atletico Madrid. Accordingly, he almost averages either a goal or an assist every game – a truly impressive return.

Newcastle United have been deprived of goals this season, having only scored 22 goals in 24 league games. The fact that Joselu is the club’s leading scorer in the league, with only four goals, is illustrative of the woes that the Magpies have experienced in front of goal.

The vastly experienced 30-year-old is highly regarded for his proficient finishing ability and his tendency to play through balls. He provides excellent threat when attacking set-pieces, which will be of exceeding benefit as Rafa Benitez looks to negate his side’s attacking problems. He would be an excellent signing for the Toon.

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