Newcastle targeting double swoop for Cedric Bakambu and Danny Ings

Championship winners Newcastle United are targeting a double swoop for Villarreal’s Cedric Bakambu and Liverpool’s Danny Ings, according to The Sun.

26-year-old Bakambu enjoyed a fine campaign in La Liga last time round, netting 11 goals in 26 appearances for Villarreal to help them to an excellent fifth place finish in the division, just five points adrift of Sevilla in the final Champions League spot.

Yet things haven’t gone according to plan for Liverpool striker Ings since his move to Anfield back in 2015, with two serious injuries restricting the English international to just 11 appearances for the Reds, in which time he netted three times.

And both men may well be on the move this summer, as recent reports suggest that Magpies manager Rafa Benitez is considering a summer swoop for the duo in a bid to reinforce his Premier League-bound Newcastle squad.

The North East giants won the Championship last term to bounce straight back up to the top-flight, but given their over reliance on striker Dwight Gayle, the former Chelsea and Real Madrid chief may well that more attacking options are needed to help the club be competitive next season.

And given Bakambu’s excellent goal-scoring record since moving to Villarreal, in which time he has scored 34 goals in 83 games, and Ings’ potential despite injury troubles, both would be good additions to the Magpies squad should Benitez seal a deal for the two over the coming weeks and months.