EXCLUSIVE: Newcastle eye Liverpool's Diogo Jota for £60m

Jacque Talbot

• Updated: 10 Mar 2023 08:27 GMT
• 3 min read

Exclusive

Newcastle admire Diogo Jota despite the forward signing fresh terms with Liverpool over the summer, FootballTransfers can reveal.

The Portugal international is being looked at by the Magpies over a possible switch in the upcoming window.

Jota would cost around £60 million - while the Reds would not wish to lose the attacker to a newfound Champions League-chasing rival.

We understand he is one of many options on the list and the club are attracted to his versatility and proven goal-scoring record in the Premier League.

Newcastle will be on the market for a left-back and central midfielder primarily but the ill form of Callum Wilson post-World Cup and the exit of Chris Wood to Nottingham Forest mean they will look to bring in a fresh attacker who can play a variety of roles along the frontline in Howe’s 433 formation.

The club still have eyes on someone who can play the No.10 role and the sounds are that James Maddison is a huge target.

Jota's Liverpool future

Though a move seems improbable, Jota, hoping for gametime, will have to contend with the rotation of Darwin Nunez, Cody Gakpo, and Mohamed Salah, and the sale of the 26-year-old would represent a significant boost in funds for Liverpool, who we are told will have about £200m to spend in the market.

He initially joined from Wolves back in 2020 for £41m, rising to £45m in potential add-ons.

Jota has made 14 outings this season but has failed to score in each of those matches.

The season prior he netted 21 times in 55 matches, and in his inaugural campaign, he found the net 13 times in 30 games.

The attacker played a crucial role in helping Jurgen Klopp's side win both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup last season. They missed out on the Premier League title by just one point.