Newcastle ‘expected’ to break the bank for €100m Serie A star as they ‘guarantee’ €8-9m salary

Napoli striker Victor Osimhen is ‘at the very top’ of Newcastle United’s transfer shortlist, according to reports in Italy.

The 23-year-old has been excellent for his side this season, scoring 17 goals in 30 matches across all competitions.

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He is attracting plenty of interest ahead of the summer transfer window with Newcastle, Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester United all linked with the Nigerian.

If Osimhen departs Napoli this summer he is expected to be the most expensive sale in Serie A history.

According to Calciomercato (via Sport Witness), Newcastle see Osimhen as the centre-forward to fire the Magpies into Europe next term.

He is said to be ‘at the very top of the rankings’ at St James’ Park with Napoli ‘expecting’ Newcastle to contact them over the young striker.

The report adds that only a Premier League club will be able to afford this signing with Napoli asking for €100m. It is also believed that Osimhen is ‘not asking to leave’ – meaning the Italian club’s asking price is unlikely to go down.

The same outlet reported last week that Newcastle are ‘ready to guarantee’ the player a salary of €8-9m per season, which is double what he earns in Naples.

Transfer and wage funds will not be hard to come by for the Geordies after they were taken over by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund earlier this season.

Newcastle have also been linked with Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard, who is out of contract at the end of this season.

As per the Daily Mail, Juventus, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain are also keen on signing the England international.

Lingard has only made four starts across all competitions for the Red Devils this