Newcastle United are among three teams in the hunt to sign Venezuela international Jan Carlos Hurtado in the summer transfer window, according to 221 Radio.
The Argentine broadcaster claims that Newcastle could face a battle to win Hurtado’s signature, with the likes of Marseille and Atalanta amongst the other European clubs interested in the Gimnasia forward.
Newcastle’s Premier League survival has been secured in recent weeks and the club’s attention will now be shifting to what could be a potentially vital summer transfer window and Hurtado is understood to have emerged as an early transfer target.
A move could potentially see the 19-year-old link up with Venezuela team-mate Salomon Rondon, if the forward on a season long loan from West Bromwich Albion makes his move permanent this summer.
OPINION
Rafa Benitez has still yet to sign a new contract extension to keep him at St James’ Park beyond this season, and the Spaniard will be looking for assurances over Newcastle’s summer transfer dealings before he decides to commit his future to the club. It will therefore be crucial that Newcastle’s board show signs of intent heading into the summer transfer window. Hurtado is a relatively unknown quantity, but attracting a talented young player like him could be key in demonstrating Newcastle’s ambition to Benitez. Newcastle supporters will be hoping for more transfer deals like the one that saw them sign Miguel Almiron for a club record fee in January, with the potential signing of Hurtado potentially getting them of to a good start. However, Newcastle supporters have been used to the club being linked with a host of players in recent windows, with most joining other clubs instead, they will be hoping that this summer things will be different.
