Danny Welbeck will be released from Arsenal when his contract expires in the summer, and Football Insider understand that Newcastle have already made a move for the soon-to-be free agent.
The insider outlet have claimed that a source close to the former England international has told them that representatives working for the Magpies have approached Welbeck, as we are intent on beating Everton, West Ham and clubs from around Europe to his signature.
It is also said that we are convinced the crocked 28-year-old would make a top signing in the upcoming market, as his versatility to play across the front line and pedigree from years with Arsenal and Manchester United make him an extremely appealing free agent.
He has, however, not featured for the Gunners since breaking his ankle in November and being forced to undergo surgery, which brought his campaign to an end after 14 appearances across all competitions, in which he scored five and assisted one goal.
Although, while the Magpies may be attracted to Welbeck, signing the £125,000-a-week forward could prove to be bad news for Salomon Rondon and any supporter keen to see the Venezuelan at St James’ Park next term.
Mike Ashley is reluctant to pay more than £12million for the on-loan West Brom striker, as per the Daily Mail, as he will turn 30 in September and will only have a year left on his contract at the Hawthorns once the current season ends.
It would be hard to imagine Ashley going from a hesitant stance over Rondon to signing him alongside Welbeck, given the wage demands the English attacker will likely be after.
Say he is after a four-year contract at £100,000-a-week, slightly less than what he earns in North London but on a deal which would take him beyond his 32nd birthday, that would signal a £20.8m transfer before any signing on bonuses are taken into consideration.
A deal for Rondon based on his current £60k-a-week contract, on the other hand, would come to £12.48m on top of a £16.5m release clause – which would rise above £20m if WBA secure promotion via the Play-Offs.
Can anyone realistically see Ashley sanctioning close to £50million on two strikers in their late-twenties that would have marginal re-sale value, which is seemingly the biggest sticking point in plans to sign Rondon?