Newcastle United are in the hunt to sign Aston Villa forward Jonathan Kodjia, according to the Express and Star.
The newspaper claim that the Magpies alongside Leeds United are weighing up a move for the 6ft 2in tall attacker (Transfermarkt) as the Villans need to sell him this summer in order to raise funds.
The Express and Star report that Kodjia could cost less than West Bromwich Albion forward Salomon Rondon who has a £16.5million release clause is his contract.
It is believed that the Magpies are also interested in Rondon with them searching for a new striker to sign this summer.
OPINION
This would be a terrible move for the Magpies even if Kodjia was available at a ridiculously cheap price. The 28-year-old struggled for the Villans in the Championship last season as injury stopped him being able to be a clinical threat in England’s second-tier. Kodjia ended his 2017/18 campaign with only one goal from 18 outings and that kind of form shouldn’t see a Premier League side come in for him. The forward may have been previously dazzled in the Championship during the 2016/17 season where he scored 19 league goals but that’s still not enough to warrant the Magpies making a move for him. Rafa Benitez needs to welcome a lethal finisher to St James Park this summer and it can’t confidently be said that Kodjia fits the bill after his disappointing campaign last season. While the Villans may wave goodbye to Kodjia this summer in order to gain a fee for his services, the Magpies shouldn’t be the one greeting him anytime soon.
