Newcastle Still Looking To Bring In 15-Goal Uruguay Forward, Report Claims

Newcastle United may look to finally make a firm move for Bordeaux forward Diego Rolan once they complete the signing of Florian Thauvin from Marseille, The Shields Gazette claim. On Tuesday The Chronicle suggested that Thauvin was likely to be the last "big-money signing" the Magpies would make this summer, but this latest report seems to contradict that. It is now claimed that, once the £14 million acquisition of Thauvin is finalised, Newcastle will contemplate making a bid for Uruguay international forward Rolan - who Bordeaux are reportedly demanding £12 million for.

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. Intriguingly 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."

Newcastle 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 - with the Magpies having reportedly ended their pursuit of Queens Park Rangers forward Charlie Austin. Despite Aleksandar Mitrovic having already arrived from Anderlecht, the club also want another striker. 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.