Newcastle United do not look to be wasting time ahead of the summer transfer season.
While the transfer window does not open until Friday, June 14, Newcastle is already looking to enhance their team.
They are reported to be close to a deal to bring Bournemouth’s Lloyd Kelly to St James’ Park on a free transfer, while they have also attempted to get Tosin Adarabioyo to Tyneside.
Though Chelsea ultimately won the race to recruit the defender, Newcastle appears to be undeterred in their efforts to reinforce.
They are said to have launched a £16 million bid to recruit Burnley custodian James Trafford as talks between the two teams continue.
Newcastle’s free agency market appears to be very interesting.
As always, there are expected to be some FFP restrictions in place this summer, so signing players who do not require a transfer fee has obvious advantages.
They are now being linked to a really unusual name.
Nigerian international Kelechi Iheanacho, once described as “incredible” by Pep Guardiola, is thought to be of interest.
Iheanacho spent seven years with the Foxes after leaving Manchester City in 2017, winning the FA Cup, Community Shield, and Championship along the way, but was released after his contract expired.
Signing a player who only scored five Championship goals last season on a free transfer is unlikely to get fans excited on Tyneside.
Nonetheless, context seems to be significant.
Iheanacho scored those goals in only five second-tier starts last season, and he would not be Newcastle’s first choice.
Eddie Howe’s team had little difficulty scoring goals. Only Manchester City, Arsenal, and Liverpool scored more in the Premier League last season.
However, their forwards’ dependability remains a major concern.
Alexander Isak will undoubtedly be first choice, but he has frequently failed to remain healthy for long periods of time, and the same can be said about backup Callum Wilson, who may leave this summer.
Iheanacho has 42 Premier League goals from 196 appearances. More crucially, he has only missed four games due to injury since joining English football in 2015 (via Transfermarkt).
Newcastle couldn’t do much worse as a cheap backup.
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