Newcastle United have made their interest in Jens Cajuste of FC Midtjylland clear, according to The Athletic.
What’s the latest Newcastle transfer news?
The report claims that, with manager Steve Bruce looking for midfield additions, the Swedish international has emerged as a genuine target.
Still, the likes of Wolverhampton Wanderers and Crystal Palace are also believed to be keen on a move for the 21-year-old who is thought to be valued at around £12.8m.
Who is Jens Cajuste?
A 5-cap Swedish international, Cajuste joined the Danish side from boyhood club Örgryte IS in 2018.
Operating as a defensive midfielder, he averaged 1.4 interceptions made and 1.52 tackles won per game last season (via FBREF) and would appear to fit the mould of the kind of option Bruce needs in his engine room.
Aside from Isaac Hayden, Newcastle lack dynamic options at the base of the midfield and, while it is not an exact science of course, the aforementioned averages in some of those key defensive metrics compare rather favourably to the output of the current squad on Tyneside.
Both would have him ranking within the club’s top four players and, crucially, the leading player on those fronts was Joe Willock and there is no guarantee he will be returning this summer.
Would Cajuste be a good signing for Newcastle?
At 21 and already playing international football, the smart money would surely be on bringing him in.
Still, even £12m+ looks prohibitive for the club this summer and, frankly, it’s hard to see Mike Ashley releasing those sort of funds.
Sadly, that’s just where Newcastle are at the moment and, unless they can get creative when it comes to organising the payment structure of potential deals, the lack of investment will continue to cost them.
