£5m Newcastle United transfer agrees personal terms ahead of ‘dream’ move

Former Newcastle United striker Joselu is closing in on a shock move to 14-time Champions League winners Real Madrid.

The Spaniard endured a difficult time on Tyneside after joining the Magpies in a £5m deal from Stoke City during the first week of the 2017-18 season.

After making his debut in a 1-0 defeat at Huddersfield Town, Joselu grabbed his first goal for the club in a 3-0 win against West Ham United before the end of his first month at St James Park.

However, inconsistent form and playing in a United side that created few chances meant scored just seven goals in 52 appearances prior to his departure to Alaves in a £2.5m deal during the summer of 2019.

A return to Spanish football brought a change in fortunes as the striker scored 36 goals and provided 11 assists across the following two seasons before swapping life at the Mendizorrotza Stadium for La Liga rivals Espanyol last summer.

Although Espanyol were relegated from Spain’s top-flight in 22-23, only Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski and Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema netted more than Joselu’s 16.

Benzema left Madrid last week to join Saudi Pro League champions Al-Ittihad - and Joselu is one of two strikers expected to arrive at the Santiago Bernabeu this summer.

As per transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, the 33-year-old has already agreed terms with Real, who are working to get the transfer finalised by the end of the week. It’s claimed Joselu “dreams of this move” having previously been at Madrid between 2009-2012. He scored on his two senior appearances.

Joselu had spells at Hoffenheim, Eintracht Frankfurt and Hannover before completing a switch to the Premier League with Stoke City.