Newcastle United could set their sights on Genk striker Mbwana Samatta if they fail to sign Joelinton from Hoffenheim this summer, according to Sky Sports journalist Kaveh Solhekol.
The reporter claimed on Sky Sports News that Samatta, 26, is wanted by Galatasaray but would prefer a move to the Premier League and is valued at £10.5million by Genk.
“One other bit of update from Newcastle about possible alternatives if a move for Joelinton doesn’t come off,” Solhekol said on Sky Sports News on Friday night [07:41pm].
“We’ve been told that Newcastle are interested in signing Genk striker Mbwana Samatta.
“Genk were the champions of Belgium last season. He’s scored 32 times.
“His representatives told us a few days ago that Galatasaray had gone to Belgium to have talks about signing him.
“I think you can sign him for about £10.5million.
“The player himself was very flattered that Galatasaray wanted to sign him but he’s made it clear that he would prefer to move to the Premier League.
“And it looks like, from what we’re being told, that he’s on Newcastle’s shortlist.”
Samatta was in sensational form for Genk last season as they won the Belgian league title, scoring 32 goals in 51 appearances across all competitions.
OPINION
Samatta could not stop scoring for Belgian champions Genk last season and you can see why Newcastle would be interested in the Tanzania international. £10.5million is fairly cheap for a striker who was as prolific as him last term but Samatta was scoring those goals in a league that is nowhere near as strong as the Premier League or Bundesliga, where Joelinton scored seven times in the 2018/19 campaign. Samatta would be a lot cheaper than Joelinton but he is also several years older than the 22-year-old Brazilian and isn’t as experienced in a top European league. It would be interesting to see if Newcastle are able to sign both Joelinton and Samatta if they think the two forwards can offer them something different. Newcastle are very light of options up front and signing just Joelinton on his own won’t be enough to put together a reasonable Premier League strikeforce.
