Report: Newcastle eye Atlanta United striker Josef Martinez

Add as preferred source on Google

Newcastle United are reportedly eyeing South American attacker Josef Martinez from MLS club Atlanta United.

According to the Chronicle, the Magpies are “keeping tabs” on the Venezuela international that has ripped up the American League.

It is understood that Newcastle have maintained focus on Atlanta United games since they signed Miguel Almiron from them back in January.

The report explains that Martinez is on a “substantial list” of possible January targets for Steve Bruce’s side.

Martinez is currently on a 15-game goalscoring streak in the league to break the MLS record and he’s just six short of Lionel’s Messi’s all-time record for Barcelona.

The 26-year-old has been in stunning form and it would be intriguing to see if he could replicate that in England.

He’s netted 31 times in 34 games across all competitions for Atlanta United this season.

The centre-forward previously had a spell in Italy with Torino when he was younger, where he managed 13 goals in 76 games for them.

Martinez has taken his game to another level since then, but whether he could keep a similar scoring rate if he moved back to European football remains to be seen.

TBR’s View:

Martinez is a goal machine that is setting incredible records, even if he is playing in a less competitive MLS division.

He’s a striker that makes clever runs, is strong in the air and can finish with both feet.

Almiron would surely benefit if he was reunited with his ex-teammate at St James’ Park, but Newcastle would surely need to pay a huge amount to bring him to England.

Bruce’s side invested a colossal £40million (BBC) in Joelinton this summer and they need to see more from the Brazilian centre-forward.