Newcastle Transfer News Round-Up: Every Player The Magpies Have Been Linked With From June 22nd-28th
3. Papiss Cisse
Newcastle United are looking to offload Papiss Cisse this summer but reports claim they have already rejected a bid from Besiktas for the forward. The Express claim that the Turkish club have made an initial approach for Cisse but that they have not come close to matching the Magpies' valuation of the striker yet. Interestingly, Demba Ba, who netted 27 goals in 44 appearances for the Turkish side last season, is wanted by a host of Premier League clubs - with Newcastle even linked - reports in Turkey last week suggested a swap deal could be on the cards. If Ba does return to England with West Ham United or another Premier League side, then Cisse could make the lucrative switch to Turkey. Newcastle are looking to improve their forward lineup this summer but are looking to offload Cisse and have reportedly turned down offers for the Senegalese striker already. The Magpies want £10 million for a striker who has just celebrated his 30th birthday earlier and who struggled with a knee injury throughout the 2014-15 season. Despite the injury, Cisse was Newcastles top scorer last season as he netted an impressive 11 goals in just 22 Premier League appearances. However, Newcastle are drawing up a final list of striking transfer targets for this summer - with Queens Park Rangers Charlie Austin, West Bromwich Albions Saido Berahino, West Ham United's Diafra Sakho, Wolfsburgs Bas Dost and Watfords Troy Deeney all believed to be seen as potential recruits. With new head coach Steve McClaren given the freedom to reshape his squad this summer, it is likely that Cisse will be moved on. Since he arrived from SC Freiburg for £9.3 million in January 2012, Cisses form has been patchy - with some exceptional highs and some dreadful lows. An incredible 13 goals came in his first 14 Premier League games, but just 17 strikes arrived in the following two campaigns. In 109 appearances in all for Newcastle, Cisse has scored 41 times.
NUFC editor for WhatCulture.com/NUFC. History graduate (University of Edinburgh) and NCTJ-trained journalist. I love sports, hopelessly following Newcastle United and Newcastle Falcons. My pastimes include watching and attending sports matches religiously, reading spy books and sampling ales.
