Newcastle Plotting Player Plus Cash Deal For Serie A Marksman: Does It Make Sense?

Cash-rich Newcastle United are reportedly interested in signing Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic.

The Magpies are on an upward trajectory under the tutelage of Eddie Howe and went into the World Cup break third on the table, ahead of the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea. Eddie Howe’s primary aim is to bring Champions League football to St. James’ Park next season which will help the club attract top talents from across Europe.

According to Italian outlet Calciomercatoweb, Newcastle United will target Juventus’ Dusan Vlahovic if they are able to secure Champions League qualification. The report, though, adds that in order to convince Juventus to sell the Serbian international, they could include Alexander Isak in a swap deal.

Vlahovic, 22, arrived at Juventus in January and has rarely looked the same player he was during his meteoric rise at Fiorentina. But he has had a decent start to the season netting six goals and providing one assist in 10 Serie A appearances in an otherwise disappointing season for Juventus, who are 10 points adrift of league leaders Napoli.

Dusan Vlahovic to Newcastle United—Can he take them to the next level?

Newcastle United broke their club record in the summer by signing Alexander Isak in a £63m deal from Real Sociedad in the summer. After a bright start with the Magpies, which yielded two goals in three Premier League matches, Isak has spent most of the time on the treatment table. As far as his recovery is concerned, the Swede is expected to return after the World Cup.

Being Newcastle’s biggest signing ever, it is highly unlikely Eddie Howe and the club will give up on Isak after just three games to get Dusan Vlahovic, though.

Vlahovic is one of Europe’s hugely coveted young footballers and would be a tremendous addition to the Magpies. He is a talented, young, exciting and dynamic striker, and fits the profile of what Howe wants in his team.

Howe wants to bring in talented young and hungry footballers with huge potential who can develop alongside the club. Vlahovic is exactly that kind of player. The Serbian was excellent for Fiorentina in the last two seasons, scoring 41 goals combined. The 22-year-old possesses both physicality and pace to go with his technical skills, whilst having the ability to score practically any kind of goal.

Undoubtedly, Dusan Vlahovic would be a top addition to Newcastle’s attacking ranks, but it should not come at the expense of Isak, who is another highly-rated young striker with great potential to grow.

There is simply no way Howe and Newcastle must sign Vlahovic if they are to involve Isak in a swap deal. Instead, the Toon Army must qualify for the Champions League and make a statement by luring Vlahovic away from Juventus next summer.