Newcastle United are understood to be lining up Stoke City Mame Biram Diouf as a cut-price striking addition if they miss out on Alexandre Lacazette.
Following the signings of Henri Saivet and Jonjo Shelvey, the Magpies are increasing their efforts to bring the Olympique Lyonnais frontman Lacazette to St. James’ Park.
Indeed, having had a bid of £18 million rejected for the attacker, Steve McClaren’s side have now upped the ante, and have offered a whopping £25 million to bag the French international hitman, as per the Mirror.
However, despite the increase in the fee, there are no guarantees that the attacker will move to the North East…at least nor during he January window.
Lacazette has already insisted that he’s unwilling to leave OL until the summer, while he may not want to jeopardise his chances of making Les Bleus squad for next summer’s European Championships by moving to a foreign land and an alien league.
Similarly, the Express reported earlier in the month that Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur were keen on the forward, meaning that even if Lyon to acquiesce to a transfer, there’s no guarantee that the Frenchman would opt for Newcastle.
According to the Mirror, if Newcastle miss out on Lacazette, they’re plotting a move to make Stoke City’s Senegal frontman Diouf their Plan B.
The former Manchester United striker has shone at Stoke, but has seen his impact reduced this season amidst the plethora of attacking talent at Mark Hughes’s disposal.
SEE MORE:
Chelsea star rushed to hospital after dramatic Premier League draw
Ari Kum Video: Watch clip of 6-year-old wonderkid set for trials with Real Madrid, Juventus & Man City
Euro giants keen to beat Man City to rumoured Guardiola transfer target