Newcastle Earmark "Plan B" Striker - Should They Miss Out On Charlie Austin

Newcastle United have earmarked Bordeaux striker Diego Rolan as "part of their Plan B" should they fail to lure Charlie Austin to Tyneside this summer, according to reports. The Daily Express claims that if the Magpies are unsuccessful in their attempts to sign the Queens Park Rangers forward, they will instead turn their attentions to 22-year-old Rolan. QPR want £15 million for 18-goal Austin but The Express claim Newcastle are unwilling to offer higher than £12 million, meaning they could switch to alternative target Rolan.

Interestingly, last month Bordeaux€™s president confirmed that Newcastle had "been in contact" about the availability of Rolan this summer. Yet Aston Villa are hoping to pip the Magpies to the signing of the Bordeaux forward after reportedly offering £12.6 million for the Uruguayan. Interestingly though, Bordeaux president Jean-Louis Triaud only mentioned Newcastle€™s interest when he was interviewed by Mercato365 last month. He said:

"There has been contact with Newcastle - but never directly with us, only through various intermediaries. "With Newcastle I suppose you could say there is some truth in their interest."

Tim Sherwood is believed to be targeting Rolan as one of two strikers he intends to bring in to replace Christian Benteke, who has signed for Liverpool in a £32.5 million deal. Newcastle, meanwhile, may see the 22-year-old as a versatile option to play either through the middle or out wide - and Stoke City also have an interest in the forward. Despite Aleksandar Mitrovic having already arrived from Anderlecht, the club also want another forward. Six-cap Uruguay international Rolan, who has scored one goal to date for his country and played at the 2015 Copa America this summer, moved to France from Defensor Sporting in 2013 after an impressive South American Youth Championship and he has continued to improve at Bordeaux. A return of 17 goals from 61 league games is decent, while the 22-year-old also has the pace to operate as a wide forward or even as a winger. Incredibly, 15 of those 17 strikes came during the 2014-15 season - so it seems Rolan has really kicked on in recent months. For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow WhatCulture.com/NUFC on Twitter and Facebook.