Steve Bruce can land Newcastle United’s new Salomon Rondon in VfB Stuttgart striker Sasa Kalajdzic, who Fabrizio Romano claims is a target for the St James’ Park natives.
What’s the word?
While speaking with Give Me Sport, transfer guru Romano confirmed that Newcastle are one of several Premier League clubs currently tracking Kalajdzic’s situation at the Mercedes-Benz Arena.
The Magpies were recently linked with a potential move for the 23-year-old by Tutto Juve, who cited Tyneside as well as Everton, RB Leipzig and Juventus as potential destinations for the striker dubbed the next Erling Haaland.
Should Newcastle sign Stuttgart’s Kalajdzic?
Yes, he’d be perfect
No, he isn’t good enough
Stuttgart are reported to value Kalajdzic at between €20m and €25m (£17m-£21.5m) after the 6 ft 6 target man struck 13 goals in 25 Bundesliga games during his first year of German top-flight football to sit sixth in the scoring charts going into the international break.
Romano does not believe that Newcastle are currently leading the race for Kalajdzic’s signature, but expects opportunities to arise for the four-cap Austria international to test himself in the Premier League next season.
“I think yes, he has chances to join Premier League,” Romano said. “To be honest with you, I don’t know about the club because all the clubs you mention are scouting this player, he’s an amazing player.
“So, they are looking at him, like information about him, also what they say about the player and the potential. At the moment, there is still nothing advanced, but I think yes, he has chances to join the Premier League. A lot of clubs are looking at him.
“So, he’s the typical opportunity and this kind of summer where we have after the pandemic, we are obviously in a difficult situation about economic and financial point of view. Having this kind of opportunity is interesting also for English clubs.
“So, I would say yes, I see him as a good opportunity in Premier League, but let’s see if they will pay what the club are asking. So, it’s still so long, but I think it’s an opportunity.”
Should Newcastle sign Stuttgart’s Kalajdzic?
Much can change between now and the end of the season but a move for Newcastle to sign Kalajdzic would appear somewhat unlikely, with Stuttgart valuing the forward in the region of £20m and United’s budget expected to be small – if there is any money with which to work.
However, Bruce should urge Toon owner Mike Ashley to fund a pursuit of Kalajdzic as the Stuttgart star can prove to be Newcastle’s new Rondon, who was named as United’s Player of the Year for the 2018/19 term during his season on loan from West Bromwich Albion.
Rondon won the hearts of Toon supporters during his year on Tyneside, and some fans have frequently shared hope on social media of the Venezuelan returning when opportunities have arisen.
The 31-year-old left a lasting impression having been highly influential under Rafa Benitez, with 11 goals and seven assists in 32 Premier League games including pivotal efforts against Bournemouth, Everton, Huddersfield, Watford and Manchester City. No player was involved in more goals for the Magpies than Rondon that season.
Kalajdzic has the potential to offer the same impact next term and in the years ahead, with Stuttgart not planning on offering the 23-year-old a new contract despite being their top scorer and helping fire the Baden-Wurttemberg club to ninth in the Bundesliga table.
The towering Austrian is tipped to explode in the near future and take his game to an even higher level too, despite Kalajdzic entering the international break on the back of scoring eight goals in as many top-flight games. That’s a run of form which Bruce would surely love for Newcastle.
AND in other news, a “more than fantastic” 46-year-old is keen to replace Steve Bruce at Newcastle…