According to reports in The Mirror, Newcastle United are interested in signing Villarreal striker Cedric Bakambu this summer, but they will have to pay a club-record fee to get him.

What’s the word, then?

Well, The Mirror says that Magpies manager Rafa Benitez is looking to make some progress in the transfer market this week and that he is keen on a deal for Bakambu.

However, the report adds that West Ham have already a £22m bid rejected for the DR Congo international, which means that the Tyneside outfit would have to pay a fee considerably in excess of the £16m they paid for Michael Owen in 2005.

How good was Bakambu last season?

While his record wasn’t quite as good as in the 2015/16 campaign when he scored 22 goals in all competitions, the 26-year-old was still an impressive performer for the La Liga outfit.

The striker netted 11 goals and provided a further two assists in 34 appearances in total, which wasn’t too bad considering he missed the start of the campaign with a hamstring injury and then represented his country at the African Cup of Nations in January.

Would he be a good signing for Newcastle?

He certainly could be, yes.

Bakambu has shown over the course of the last three seasons what a fine finisher he can be, and he looks to have all of the attributes to be a success in the Premier League.

However, the transfer fee could be a sticking point as the Magpies may feel they could get a better deal for an alternative striker elsewhere seeing as he will cost more than £22m and has no Premier League experience.

Would Newcastle be willing to pay more than £22m?

While they probably wouldn’t want to, they will also be aware that the price tags on players are going to go through the roof this summer, and that they may have to pay big fees to bring their targets to St James’ Park and see off any competition from their rivals.

Benitez will want to be backed by Mike Ashley and securing a big-money deal for Bakambu would certainly be a statement of intent to the manager and the rest of the Premier League.

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