Report: Newcastle face huge challenge for £60m striker Pep Guardiola once called ‘exceptional’

Add as preferred source on Google

Newcastle United are facing a huge challenge in their reported pursuit of Moussa Dembele, a striker once deemed “exceptional” by Pep Guardiola.

According to Bleacher Report, sources linked to the prospective new Magpies owners have deemed the Lyon forward a “possible option” in the upcoming transfer window.

However, the Daily Star reports that Manchester United are growing “increasingly confident” of signing Dembele in a £60million deal.

The outlet claims that not only is Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer “desperate” to bring the 23-year-old to Old Trafford, but that they’re the player’s favourite option at present.

Dembele has been in sensational form for the French club, claiming 22 goals and seven assists from 42 games in all competitions in the season just gone.

His overall tally for Lyon stands at 42 goals and 13 assists from 88 appearances, more than repaying the reported £20million fee the Ligue 1 club paid Celtic for his services in 2018.

Dembele thoroughly impressed at Parkhead too, with 51 goals and 18 assists from 94 games, and at Fulham, the club where he came through the ranks, with 19 goals and nine assists as a teenager.

TBR View:

Aside from Dembele’s talents, his consistency stands out – he has been prolific everywhere he’s played and is only getting better with age.

In 2016, Guardiola was asked by the Daily Mail about Man City’s reported interest in Dembele at the time.

While he remained coy on the speculation, he said: “The quality (in Dembele) is there. He is an exceptional player.”

Bleacher Report claims that Newcastle will be aiming for players “in the bracket beneath Griezmann and co”, with Dembele a seemingly realistic option post-takeover.

However, not only does Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas have the reputation of being a tough negotiator – despite the club being reportedly willing to sell players after missing out on Europe – but Manchester United are bound to prove a huge challenge for any clubs who also have eyes on the same players.