Newcastle United have begun targeting SC Braga winger Ricardo Horta having struggled to get a deal for RB Leipzig’s Ademola Lookman over the line, according to O Jogo via Sport Witness.
Lookman is the club’s primary forward target to join Steve Bruce at St. James’ Park this month, but Leipzig are said to be playing hardball over whether or not they look to sell the former Everton attacker this month.
Should no progress be made in acquiring the London-born talent, it is thought we could soon lodge a £10million bid to sign Braga ace Horta, who was long a target of Rafa Benitez during the Spaniard’s tenure on Tyneside.
Braga would not react positively to such an offer, though, as the Liga NOS outfit would demand a much larger fee to part ways with their 13 goals, six assists star.
The Estadio Municipal de Braga natives President Antonio Salvador is expected to request around €25m (£21.4m) to €30m (£25.7m) to sell Horta during the winter market, having increased the 25-year-old’s release clause when he penned a new contract in September.
Horta, formerly of Malaga, has been an instrumental part of manager Ruben Amorim’s plans this season, having started 15 of a possible 16 Liga NOS fixtures alongside outings in the Europa League, Allianz Cup and Taca de Portugal Placard.
The SL Benfica product has scored goals in each competition he has played in this season, with four coming in the Portuguese top-flight, two in the Europa League Group Stage and four in the Qualifying rounds.
Twenty-three of Horta’s 29 appearances to date have come on the left-hand side of the field – returning ten of his 13 goals in all competitions, plus five assists – to six outings on the right.
Horta’s new deal is set to keep the one-time Portugal international at Os Arcebispos until 2024.
Would you back a move for Horta if Lookman's off the table?
Yes, absolutely
No, he isn't good enough
Leipzig only signed Lookman from Everton for £22.5m last summer after a year-long pursuit, though the Charlton Athletic product has failed to establish himself under Julian Nagelsmann with just four appearances in all competitions.
It is thought that Leipzig would consider parting ways with Lookman this month if an offer of ‘at least’ £22m is presented, and that talks between the Bundesliga outfit and Toon executives are still underway.
Failing to meet the Red Bull Arena natives’ asking price could see us miss out on landing Bruce’s primary attacking target, and have no choice but to push on with acquiring Braga’s Horta and bring the long-term Benitez target, finally, to St. James’ Park.
In other Newcastle United news, a pundit has backed a £1.8m-rated Toon man to leave Tyneside this year amid widespread interest.