Newcastle United 'plot' £29m move for in-form Aston Villa 'target' with seven goal contributions this season

Newcastle United were amongst the best attacking teams in the Premier League last season with 85 goals in 38 matches - the club’s highest number in a top-flight season since 1961.

But so far this term the Magpies have looked a shadow of their former selves in front of goal, with just eight goals in eight league matches, while failing to break down the likes of Everton and Brighton & Hove Albion in recent weeks. Newcastle’s lack of offensive creativity has been a major cause for concern in recent weeks and many supporters are starting to feel that Magpies need to inject a fresh sense of flair and creativity into their team after a massively subdued transfer window.

The Magpies policy in recent windows has been to buy young players with plenty of potential to improve and one player that is beginning to catch the eye of Newcastle’s recruitment team is Red Bull Salzburg youngster Oscar Gloukh. Capable of playing either as a right winger or as a central attacking midfielder, Gloukh has long been considered one of the brightest young talents in European football.

He formed part of the Israel team which reached the final of the Under-19 European Championships in 2022. The youngster scored three goals over the course of the competition, including one in the final during a defeat to England which earmarked him a rising star.

Gloukh came through the ranks at Maccabi Tel Aviv, one of the biggest clubs in Israel, but really rose to prominence when he made the move to Austrian giants Red Bull Salzburg in 2022.

The 20-year-old has thrived since moving to Austria - winning the league title in his first season. In his second campaign, he became a first team regular and registered nine goals and 12 assists, including two strikes in the Champions League.

However, this season he has taken his game to a whole new level in the early months, scoring five goals and making two assists in just seven league matches, putting him amongst the top scorers in the division.

Caught Offside reports that Newcastle, Arsenal and Aston Villa are among the clubs interested in making an offer for the talented midfielder, who is valued at a reported £29m.