Newcastle United is obviously and necessarily prioritizing the addition of a starting midfielder before the transfer window closes, yet a new report suggests the club has already established a firm limit on how far it is willing to go for one of its top targets.
The Magpies remain interested in Tottenham’s Lucas Bergvall, but the club is reportedly refusing to be dragged into a bidding war for the Spurs midfielder.
According to The Northern Echo’s Scott Wilson, following Tottenham’s rejection of Newcastle’s
initial offer worth around €53 million (£46 million), Newcastle has stepped back rather than immediately increase its proposal.
Wilson added something new to the initial transfer report, revealing that Newcastle never submitted a formal bid, with the leaked figure instead being discussed exclusively during talks between the two clubs for the transfer of Sandro Tonali to Tottenham earlier this month.
While Newcastle could still return with another offer, The Northern Echo says there is currently “no appetite” at St. James’ Park to raise the price and become involved in an auction for the Sweden international.
The report adds Newcastle officials believe Tottenham is attempting to generate wider interest in Bergvall by publicly sharing those figures, mostly because of Nottingham Forest’s interest and past discussions over the midfielder.
After missing out on new Aston Villa star Johan Manzambi, Newcastle’s urgency to strengthen in midfield cannot be higher, but Wilson reports the Magpies’ recruitment team is considering multiple alternatives to both Manzambi and Bergvall, in case both end up signing elsewhere.
According to The Northern Echo, preliminary talks have already taken place with at least two other, unnamed, midfield targets, with Newcastle hopeful of making significant progress on a new signing within the next few days.
