Maxwel Cornet is on the transfer radar as Newcastle United continue to chase attacking signings, sources have told Nothing But Newcastle.
What’s the latest Newcastle United transfer news?
In the midst of pre-season double-header against Atalanta and Athletic Bilbao, Eddie Howe confirmed club were still trying to add to the squad ahead of Saturday’s Premier League opener against Nottingham Forest.
NBN understand Chelsea’s Timo Werner is of interest, while reports on Tuesday revealed an improved offer for Leicester City’s James Maddison had been made.
Cornet, meanwhile, is another target as the club continue to chase attacking signings.
Newcastle have done plenty of business with Burnley of late, with both Chris Wood and Nick Pope arriving at St James’ Park over the course of the last two windows.
The Ivory Coast international moved to Turf Moor from Lyon (where he played alongside Bruno Guimaraes) last summer and scored 9 goals in 21 League starts during his first season in England.
Believed to have a buyout clause of around £17.5m, West Ham and Everton have also been linked with the 25-year-old.
Would Cornet be a good signing for Newcastle?
Given some of the links with players earlier in the window, it’s not difficult to imagine there being a slightly underwhelming feeling were Newcastle to sign Cornet.
A player relegated with Burnley, it would perhaps not be quite as exciting an addition as the likes of Alexander Isak or Moussa Diaby.
Still, this is a player with Champions League experience and one who has proven he can score goals in the Premier League, even in a struggling team.
Last season, only Callum Wilson in a Newcastle shirt averaged more than his 1.8 shots per game (1.9, via WhoScored) and no one in Howe’s squad scored as many goals.
Able to operate in a number of different positions across the frontline, Cornet would seem like a useful addition to a squad in real need of attacking reinforcement.
Indeed, Liverpool have shown there is real value to be found when it comes to signing players from relegated teams, with Georginio Wijnaldum, Andy Robertson and Xherdan Shaqiri all providing real value for money. Even Howe has been relegated before but that has not held him back on Tyneside.
What has been said about Cornet’s future at Burnley?
Speaking before Burnley’s Championship win over Huddersfield Town, manager Vincent Kompany said (via the Lancashire Telegraph): “We can’t have players on the wage bill and not have them play.
“If next week he is still here and nothing has developed then we are going to have to look at integrating him at least into the matchday process.”
