Newcastle United consider ‘low cost’ £12.6m striker move - but there’s a catch

Newcastle United will not be complete a move for Atalanta striker Luis Muriel - according to reports in Italy.

The Colombian international had been linked with a move to Tyneside over the weekend as the Magpies continue in their efforts to boost their options at the top end of the pitch.

Muriel was part of the Atalanta side that suffered a 1-0 defeat in a pre-season friendly at St James Park and was believed to be one option under consideration for a move to Tyneside.

Newcastle are far from the only club said to be interested in the striker, with Juventus, Roma and Inter Milan all said to be keen on a move for Muriel in the recent past.

Italian outlet TuttoSport have reported Juventus were left ‘perplexed’ by Atalanta’s demands of £12.6million for the frontman and are considering other options.

The same report has suggested Newcastle see Muriel as ‘a low-cost’ alternative to the inflated prices they have reportedly been quoted for the likes of Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Bayer Leverkusen frontman Patrick Schick.

However, Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla has claimed the 31-year-old has ‘no plans for a future at Newcastle’ and is ‘waiting for further developments’ on his next move.

The Magpies have already been dealt something of a double blow in their hunt for a striker this week after loan target Timo Werner moved closer to a return to RB Leipzig.

The Germany international underwent a medical on Tuesday after the Bundesliga club agreed a reported fee of £17million with United’s Premier League rivals Chelsea.

That will see the Blues take a £28million hit on the striker they signed from Leipzig in July 2020.

Werner’s departure will also cast doubt over the Magpies chances of signing Chelsea striker Armando Broja.

The Albanian international has been on United’s wishlist throughout the summer and it has been reported the Magpies hierachy have asked to be kept informed of developments on Broja’s future.

The striker impressed during a season-long loan at Southampton last season and appeared as a late substitute in Chelsea’s 1-0 win at Everton on Saturday evening.