Newcastle chasing Arsenal striker but could lose out as European clubs eye January deal

Newcastle fans will understandably be excited at the prospect of the next transfer window, and it is now less than six weeks until the window reopens and clubs can buy and sell ahead of the second half of the campaign. 

The Magpies were subject to a £300 million takeover by Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund in October, and speculation has since been growing around who the club could target to bolster their squad.

New manager Eddie Howe, who replaced Steve Bruce earlier this month, will reportedly be armed with a large budget to ensure their top flight survival this season, and then target progress next term.

Newcastle are still without a win this term, and currently occupy one of the Premier League relegation spots, with Saturday’s 3-3 draw with Brentford seeing them sink to bottom of the table.

Now, the club are being linked with a January move for an experienced Premier League striker, although they may face missing out due to rules around player contracts.

As per The Sun, Newcastle are keen on signing Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette, who could be available on a free transfer next summer.

Lacazette joined Arsenal from Lyon in 2017.

Arsenal will not enter into negotiations with Lacazette over a new contract until the end of the season however, risking the possibility that he could agree a contract with a foreign club in January.

Under current rules, players who are set to be out of contract in the summer will be able to agree a pre-contract agreement with any foreign side from January, which could be costly for Newcastle.

The report states that Atletico Madrid, AC Milan and Marseille are all interested in the 30-year-old, who was Arsenal’s record signing when he arrived for £52 million in 2017.

Any of the linked clubs would be able to offer the French striker a contract, which puts Newcastle at a disadvantage in their pursuit of him.

Despite Lacazette returning to the Gunners’ starting XI in recent weeks, the club are reportedly unwilling to agree to an extension on his current wages, and while a short-term agreement could be agreed, the player is reportedly unimpressed by the club’s lack of urgency.

Lacazette started in Arsenal’s 4-0 defeat to Liverpool on Saturday, a result that ended their run of eight games unbeaten in the league.

As the window nears and Newcastle’s situation worsens, the Magpies could be tempted to make a loan move for the Frenchman in the new year.