Newcastle United debating two significantly different transfer alternatives to expensive James Maddison
Newcastle United may be beginning to turn their attention away from James Maddison after reports detailed their interest in Timo Werner and Maxwel Cornet.
Maddison has been the subject of a couple of bids from Newcastle. However, they have been unable to meet Leicester City’s valuation of the attacking midfielder.
Newcastle now know that if they are to sign Maddison, they will have to break their transfer record. Besides, it has also been revealed that the 25-year-old may prefer other destinations if he leaves Leicester.
Hence, there may be more economical – and suitable – options out there on the market.
According to the Daily Star, Newcastle are still keeping tabs on Chelsea flop Werner as another attacking reinforcement.
The former RB Leipzig striker is a different kind of player to Maddison. Werner favours a more advanced role as a striker, which is somewhere else Newcastle want to invest in.
He has struggled to get goals on a regular basis since his 2020 transfer to Chelsea. Thomas Tuchel prefers to use Kai Havertz in the central attacking role, while he can also now turn to Raheem Sterling as a source of goals.
Therefore, Werner could be surplus to requirements. Newcastle are keeping him in mind, but a return to RB Leipzig currently looks the most likely solution.
Casting their net wider, then, Newcastle are also looking into a potential deal for Burnley winger Maxwel Cornet.
The Ivory Coast international will be available for a modest sum this summer after Burnley’s relegation. He has also been linked with Everton and West Ham United as he seeks a way back into the top flight.
Would Timo Werner or Maxwel Cornet be better for Newcastle?
If Newcastle abandon their pursuit of Maddison and have to pick between Werner and Cornet, perhaps they should go for the latter.
He adapted to the Premier League easier and did so in a weaker team. Newcastle could provide the former Lyon man with a step up.
His price tag is also appealing, while the wide areas have been an area of concern for Newcastle recently.
Perhaps they would still need to find an additional centre-forward too. But with Werner leaning towards Leipzig, the decision may be beyond Newcastle’s control anyway.
Cornet would be a good acquisition to bring new excitement to the Newcastle attack. Furthermore, he is a versatile player who can cover in a range of positions, such as centre-forward or wing-back.
Therefore, Eddie Howe would likely relish the opportunity to work with Cornet. Getting an out-of-form player like Werner firing again would be a big task, despite his obvious talent, whereas Cornet is ready to kick on after a decent debut season in English football.
Perhaps he should be the one Newcastle look to bid for. He may even be a better value-for-money option than Maddison, given Leicester’s valuation of the former Norwich star.
