NEWCASTLE are in talks with £30million-rated Ukrainian striker Artem Dovbyk about a surprise deadline move.
The Toon still want more firepower and are trying to take Dovbyk from Italian side Roma on loan with a view to a buy.
Magpies boss Eddie Howe was looking for TWO strikers to end the Alexander Isak stand-off and allow the wantaway Swede to join Liverpool.
With Callum Wilson leaving for West Ham as a free agent, Howe needed more attacking options.
Giant striker Nick Woltemade, who is 6ft 6in tall, was not registered in time for the club’s trip to Leeds on Saturday evening following his £69m move from Stuttgart.
But the deal is done and Howe has switched his attention to a surprise target in 28-year-old Dovbyk.
The 6ft 2in forward went to Serie A last summer from Spanish side Girona, where he scored 24 goals in his 39 appearances.
But that goals tally was halved in Italy and Roma have opened the door for him to leave.
Roma wanted a bit more but are yet to get serious interest, so a Premier League switch may suit them — as long as there is a big loan fee or a guaranteed deal.
That also works for Newcastle, who have lost Wilson and may yet move out William Osula, 22, before the window shuts.
Dovbyk cost £35m a year ago, so it would be a coup to land him in a bargain deal.
The Geordies could use him often enough to make the transfer a success.
A strong frontrunner, Dovbyk looks ideal for the Premier League and may be a shrewd capture for the club in the last days of the market.
Read the full article here