Newcastle United are reportedly looking at Espanyol striker Raul de Tomas as an option to strengthen their attack but will have to shell out €35 million.
According to Relevo, Newcastle United are keeping themselves informed about the situation of Espanyol centre-forward Raul de Tomas as they look to add a new No. 9 this summer. However, the Catalan club are set to demand €35 million for the 27-year-old this summer.
Raul de Tomas is a product of the Real Madrid youth academy but managed just one senior appearance for Los Blancos. After loan spells at Cordoba, Real Valladolid and Rayo Vallecano (twice), the striker left the Spanish capital permanently in the summer of 2019, joining Portuguese giants SL Benfica.
However, de Tomas was back in La Liga six months later, signing for Espanyol on a permanent transfer. Since the switch, the 27-year-old has been a consistent goalscorer for the Catalan club, scoring 45 goals in 89 matches. The striker helped Espanyol achieve promotion to La Liga with his prolific form in front of goal in 2020/21 and carried on from where he left off in the Spanish top-flight last season.
De Tomas finished the 2021/22 campaign with a return of 17 goals and three assists from 34 La Liga matches, being outscored only by the brilliant Karim Benzema (27) and Iago Aspas (18). His form for Espanyol led to links that suggested a return to Real Madrid, although those rumours have died down since.
Arsenal were touted as a suitor as well, although the Gunners are unlikely to pursue de Tomas after signing Gabriel Jesus. Newcastle United have now emerged as a potential destination for the 27-year-old, who has earned four caps for the Spanish national team so far.
Newcastle United are in the market for a new No. 9 as they look to further bolster their attacking unit and add competition to Callum Wilson and Chris Wood in the centre-forward department. With a move for Hugo Ekitike of Reims falling through, the Magpies have been forced to look at other options and are linked with various names, including Chelsea’s Armando Broja and Alexander Isak of Real Sociedad.
And as per the report, Newcastle United have been keeping tabs on Raul de Tomas as well, along with Serie A giants Juventus. It is further claimed that Espanyol will demand a sum of €35 million for their ace goalscorer, who still has four years left on his contract.
If true, that figure should not pose an issue for the Magpies. De Tomas, at 27, is in the peak years of his career and is coming on the back of an impressive season in La Liga. And at €35 million, he could prove to be a shrewd purchase for Newcastle United.
