Newcastle is forced into a change of transfer tactics after Benjamin Sesko chose to become a member of Manchester United, and a star with happy memories in England could fill the void
After tormenting the Drie Leeuwen in Wembley last year, Greece Spits Vangelis Pavlidis was able to be on his way to the Premier League this summer. That is after Benjamin Sesko seems to have opted for Manchester United above Newcastle, so that the Magpies climb for an alternative striker signing.
Benfica frontman Pavlidis, 26, ashamed of a complete line-up of England, consisting of Jude Bellingham, Cole Palmer and Bukayo Saka in the UEFA Nations League last October. He completed a competition decision in the 94th minute when Greece beat England for the first time, just after Bellingham seemed to have saved a result for the hosts.
Almost a year after that upset, the sun reported that Newcastle is considering a movement for Pavlidis, which is supposed to have a release clause of £ 87 million, according to Sesko's snub. And there is a very real chance that Eddie Howe will soon be short for a star attacker, depending on the future of Alexander Isak in St James' Park.
The Swede currently trains separately from the rest of the Newcastle team after he has expressed the wish to explore his options elsewhere. He abandoned the pre-season tour of Newcastle through Asia and then traveled to the former Real Sociedad club for individual training.
Liverpool remains closely linked to a movement for Isak, even though he already spends a combined £ 170 million on Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz. The Reds recently had a bid for Isak worth a reported £ 110 million rejected by the Magpies, but would consider a second offer.
However, there is a chance that deal could be revived after Liverpool agreed to sell Darwin Nunez on Saudi side Al-Hilal for a first £ 46 million. That makes another place free in the Anfield attack after Luis Diaz joined Bayern Munich in a £ 65.5 million deal.
Nieuwcastle would have been scouts present to view Pavlidis in action, while Benfica Nice defeated 2-0 in a Champions League qualifying match on Wednesday. The Greek Hitman was unable to find the back of the net, although it could work in favor of Newcastle that the newest striker of Benfica, Franjo Ivanovic, has left his mark on the French Riviera.
Pavlidis has already scored this season, but after having the only goal in Benfica's Portuguese Super Cup victory on Sporting CP. The Star, born in Thessaloniki, scored 30 goals and set on 13 assists in 57 performances in all competitions for the Eagles previous term.
Benfica paid about £ 15 million to sign the AZ Alkmaar attacker after he was at the top of the Eredivisie Scor cards in the 2023/24 campaign. However, they see for sure to make that figure back several times if they sell this summer, even if Newcastle succeeds in negotiating a fee for less than his release clause.
That said, the opportunities that that happens can be slim, since Pavlidis is left for four years to walk on his contract. The Telegraph reported that Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea is still supposed to lead the list of Newcastle pointed goals in case they sell Isak this summer.
Jackson certainly seems to struggle this season after the blues have signed both Liam Delap and Joao Pedro in the summer. The Senegal International has the advantage that he has already played in the top flight of England.
That said, many fans on Tyneside may see that their side is taking a risk, since Jackson has been far from productive in the Premier League. Pavlidis was also conceived as a potential target for the Red Devils before they apparently won the race for Sesko, with Newcastle now possibly looked at his signature after he was forced to turn again.