Newcastle United and Man Utd battle for £17m star who ‘wants’ Premier League move in January

Newcastle United and Manchester United are two clubs that are currently failing to live up to the standards they have set last season. Both clubs suffered early Champions League exits and the two are both out of the Carabao Cup despite reaching the final in the previous season.

Such poor form in cup competitions has also transcended itself into the league and both teams are lagging behind in the race for Champions League football, a feat that both successfully achieved last term. The two clubs both have the opportunity to turn their season around in the January transfer window and it is widely believed that they will make a move to sign a striker in January. Financial Fair Play plays a key role in dictating what both teams will be able to spend during the winter window, but one player who has caught the eye of both club’s is Serou Guirassy of Stuttgart, according to Team Talk.

The Guinea attacker has been one of European football’s most deadly strikers this season, thundering home an impressive 17 goals in just 14 games this season. Guirassy’s record leaves him in contention for the Golden Boot alongside Harry Kane, despite playing for a team that only narrowly survived the drop last year through the Bundesliga relegation play-offs.

Guirassy is seen as the Bundesliga teams prized asset and it is thought that they are determined to keep him in the winter window. However, his reported release clause of £15m (Sky Sports) makes him a bargain in today’s market, particularly if he is able to translate his goal scoring form into the Premier League.

Both Newcastle and Manchester United are thought to be the favourites to sign the star, despite interest from Italian giants AC Milan. German outlet Bild explains that the 27-year-old is pushing for a move to the Premier League and adds that England is his preferred destination.

Ex-Magpies legend Alan Shearer has urged his side to make a move for a centre forward in January and has spoken about the need for Newcastle to have further options to help both Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak who have been the victim of injury issues this term.

Newcastle are the only club this season to fail to score against Luton Town, while fans were concerned by the team’s inability to break down Nottingham Forest in open play, despite dominating the early stages. Manchester United are thought to be in a similar boat, both Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund have failed to hit the heights expected of them. While another attacker in Jadon Sancho has been frozen out due to an ongoing feud with Erik ten Hag.

Guirassy would offer both teams a target man with great strength and the ability to bring players into the game with hold up play. The 28-year-old scores a wide range of different goals and could be a catalyst for both teams to revive their faltering campaigns.