Juventus officials will meet their Newcastle counterparts in the coming days to discuss the sale of striker Mathias Soule, with reports in Italy suggesting that a deal is close to being reached to bring the Argentine to St James’ Park.
Eddie Howe’s side return to action on Thursday night at Everton, knowing that a win could take them two places off fifth place and one point adrift of the Premier League’s top four. But given Newcastle’s disastrous injury fortunes this season, it would be more than a wonderful comeback for their injury-ravaged team.
As it stands, Newcastle will be without as many as 13 first-team regulars for Thursday’s clash at Goodison, with Howe having to field what looks like another patched-up squad and a bench full of untested kids.
They will be without Sandro Tonali, who is suspended at Merseyside, while Nick Pope, Jacob Murphy, Dan Burn, Callum Wilson, Elliott Anderson, Sean Longstaff, Sven Botman, Joe Willock, Harvey Barnes, Javier Manquillo and Matt Targett will also be without Array.
Anthony Gordon is also struggling with a series of knocks and will be assessed.
Plagued by injuries all over the park, the Magpies at least know that the January window officially opens in just 25 days, offering Newcastle a chance to attract new players and ease the strain of their foot injuries.
To that end, Howe has been linked in days with a move for Juventus-owned Argentine striker Soule, who has played on loan at Frosinone this season.
After scoring six goals and scoring one pass in 12 games, the 20-year-old has caught the attention of many Italian and Premier League teams.
READ MORE ~ The 2023-24 Premier League injury table: Newcastle lead the way with 12 injuries…
And in addition to Newcastle, the Argentina Under-20 international has also caught the attention of Crystal Palace and Tottenham, who will be looking for more attacking roles in the January window.
However, according to Juve Live, the Magpies have placed themselves right in the most sensible queue for Soule’s signature after making it clear to Juventus that they intend to temporarily complete a deal in the January window.
According to the report, the Bianconeri are willing to make a “big sacrifice” by letting Soule go, with Serie A team principal Cristiano Giuntoli recently visiting England to discuss the potential sale.
They reportedly made clear they are seeking a fee in the region of €25m (£21.3m), though could accept a reduced fee if Newcastle emerge as the only suitors for his services.
Newcastle are now reported to be “above all others”, the team noted as the most likely to reach a deal and talks of a potential sale are expected to intensify over the next week.
Howe is said to be keen to quickly complete the player’s signing, Giuntoli reportedly “can no longer stop him” and Newcastle are now waiting for “nothing but a nod” to complete their first signing in January.
Soule, who also holds a dual Italian passport and can play as a right winger or striker, has spent time in Argentina’s senior national team but has yet to make his debut for Lionel Scaloni’s side.
DON’T MISS: De Gea urged to complete ‘perfect’ Newcastle move and make Man Utd wince, as Howe suggests different solution