Newcastle are interested in signing Burnley’s Maxwel Cornet, but may have to pay more than his £17.5million release clause, according to reports.
Interest in the Ivorian forward is very high this summer after a positive 2021/22 campaign despite the Clarets’ relegation from the Premier League.
The Aston Villa captaincy debate is an unnecessary pre-season distraction
Cornet joined the Turf Moor club from Lyon last summer and included a £17.5m relegation release clause in his contract.
Everton have been heavily linked with the 25-year-old, though they have just signed Dwight McNeil from Burnley in a deal worth around £20m.
After having a £40m bid reportedly rejected by Leicester for England playmaker James Maddison, Newcastle have turned their attention to Cornet, according to the Daily Mail.
The report claims the Magpies will need to reach a ‘compromise’ with the Championship outfit in order to secure the signing.
While a deal is being ‘explored’, there is a possibility that Newcastle will pay as much as £25m, £7.5m more than his release clause.
This is because Eddie Howe’s side ‘would prefer not to pay’ £17.5m up front due to concerns about financial spending rules.
Instead, the Geordies will hope to pay the transfer fee across multiple instalments over a longer period.
Howe is an ‘admirer’ of Cornet and is still in the market for a new winger and striker after bringing in Sven Botman, Matt Targett and Nick Pope – from Burnley.
The report adds that Maddison is on the club’s radar. It was reported on Saturday morning that Newcastle have tabled a £40m bid for the Leicester attacking midfielder.
The Foxes paid £25m for the 25-year-old and reportedly fended off interest from Arsenal last summer.
CBS Sports correspondent Ben Jacobs has claimed that Leicester value Maddison at ‘over £60m’.
It is noted that Brendan Rodgers’ side ‘didn’t even entertain’ Newcastle’s opening offer.
The Magpies can take some solace from the situation as Jacobs adds that Rodgers ‘needs’ to offload one or two players if he is to have ‘more freedom’ in the summer transfer window.
Leicester are the only Premier League side yet to make a first-team signing this summer.
Rodgers ‘prioritises’ keeping Maddison and Wesley Fofana – who has been linked with a move to Chelsea.
Despite the Foxes’ need to sell, Newcastle will need to table a ‘huge offer’ if they stand any chance of prising Maddison away from the King Power.
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Football365…