Mike Ashley wants to wrap up a deal for Joelinton this week, according to the Daily Mail.
The Brazilian has been linked with a move to Newcastle United, and it is understood that the controversial owner is willing to release £36 million in funds in an attempt to get the deal over the line.
The 22-year-old hit 11 goals in all competitions for Hoffenheim last term, including one in the Champions League, and it is believed that Ashley is keen to avoid more protracted negotiations.
OPINION
Ordinarily, you would be tempted to praise Mike Ashley for this, but honestly, after everything he has overseen this summer on Tyneside, this feels like just about the last thing he can do. The Magpies need players, and in particular, they need players who can score goals. Joelinton looks like he could be the man to do that. 11 for Hoffenheim last season was decent enough, but 1.5 key passes and 1.7 successful dribbles he also registered per match show a really exciting creative prospect [Whoscored]. Make no mistake, the Brazilian isn’t quite the finished article, but at the age of 22, he is far ahead of many of his peers in terms of his development. This would be a brilliant capture for the Toon Army, but as with anything Newcastle-related, don’t count your chickens before they hatch. There is still time for Mike Ashley to pull off some kind of tremendous let down.
