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Newcastle have been warned they face a losing battle if they pursue a deal to sign Darwin Nunez with the striker likely to sign for a London club instead.

The Magpies were the most-active team of the January transfer window, bringing in five new players. That quintet has made a rapid difference though to the mood at St James’ Park with Newcastle upwardly mobile under Eddie Howe. Indeed, an eight-match unbeaten run saw Newcastle soar up the table. That said, their progress was stunted with successive defeats just before the international break.

Nonetheless, Newcastle are perhaps only a couple of wins away from guaranteeing Premier League safety. And with that, planning for the summer window can get underway wholeheartedly.

According to widespread reports, Newcastle will likely spend anywhere between £100m – £150m this summer. Howe is looking for extra quality all over the pitch – and it seems his first deal will be for a Roma midfielder.

Elsewhere, Newcastle are also seeking a stronger presence in the heart of defence. But it is in attack where they are hoping to make the biggest splash, with a new striker top of their wishlist.

As such, a number of big-name attackers are reportedly on the Newcastle United radar.

Indeed, the likes of Victor Osimhen and Charles De Ketelaere are both reportedly on their wishlist.

However, they’re also reportedly targeting an ambitious move for Benfica hot-shot Nunez.

Darwin Nunez transfer fee could be less than exit clause

The Uruguayan is one of the most in-demand strikers in Europe, having struck 24 times in 31 games this season.

And while he has a release clause in his deal – set at anywhere between £75m and £127m, depending where you read – Benfica are seemingly willing to sell for much less. To that end, a fee of around £70m will reportedly see the Portuguese giants accept.

Given his goalscoring talents, Nunez is also seemingly on the radar of a number of other clubs too. In fact, both West Ham and Arsenal are both seemingly also keen.

And pundit Noel Whelan reckons it will be the Gunners who will torpedo Newcastle’s hopes of bringing Nunez to the North-East.

“I think for any top player scoring goals around Europe, these deals and these contracts hinge on Champions League football,” he told Football Insider.

“That’s just how it works when you’re signing players at that top level.

“It’s no different for Arsenal. They’re interested, but whether or not they qualify for the Champions League will likely define the calibre of player they can bring in.

‘Cosmopolitan London’ will appeal

“For Newcastle, all they can offer is more money. It’s a choice between playing in London and potentially the Champions League, in a far more cosmopolitan city – and playing in the north-east.

“That’s no disrespect, but Newcastle will have to pay that extra money.

“For a player who has been knocking in goals as Darwin Nunez has, he would be demanding Champions League football.”

Newcastle currently have Chris Wood leading the line, having paid Burnley £25m for him in January.

But despite some decent all-round performances, the Kiwi has just one goal in 10 appearances for the Magpies.

Perhaps more worryingly for Howe, is that Wood’s record now reads at just four goals in 31 games all season.

Therefore, it’s easy to see why a top-drawer striker is firmly at the top of their summer shopping list.

It’s not the first time Newcastle are facing up to striker misery either. Over the weekend, a former Sunderland star also advised a Belgian over a move to Tyneside.

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