£20m needed if Toon want a new striker
NEWCASTLE United are weighing up their next offer for Feyenoord’s Nicolai Jorgensen.
Dutch sources have indicated t the Magpies’ initial offer of around £14m was turned down by the De Kuip Stadium outfit last week.
However Newcastle managingdirector Lee Charnley has been given the green light by Mike Ashley to go out and bring in a striker to help boost the club’s survival bid.
Certainly, it may take an ambitious signing to pacify the club’s frustrated fanbase following the collapse of talks between United and PCP Capital Partners last week.
United tried hard to keep the name of Jorgensen under wraps this week.
However, there was a leak at the Feyenoord end and it was reported by the Dutch media on Tuesday night.
The Jorgensen deal has been firmed up by sources at St James’ Park, Ashley telling his board to move on from takeover talk and ensure the club prepare for their survival bid in the last 14 games of the Premier League season.
Jorgensen is not the only man on Newcastle’s hit-list with enquires going in for Leicester City’s Islam Slimani - but the Foxes have made it clear they want at least £20m for his services.
Slimani is a player Benitez has been interested in before and the striker’s agent is pushing hard to get him a move in the January window after his switch from Portugal has proved to be a success.
Earlier attempts in the window to lure a striker included a bid for Daniel Sturridge but the Magpies were quoted £150,000 per week for a loan deal.
Danny Ings would be the cheaper option but he wants to fight for his place at Liverpool.