Newcastle consider big-money move for Arsenal target Michy Batshuayi

Newcastle are considering a big-money move to sign in-form striker Michy Batshuayi, who is also attracting interest from Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, per the Daily Mirror.

Despite his club, Marseille, struggling in Ligue 1 this season Batshuayi has been on fire, scoring eight league goals in 13 appearances. Without the forward’s goals the famous club would be in 18th and in the relegation zone of the top French division.

This form has attracted the attention, per the report, of some of the biggest clubs on the continent, including Arsenal and Tottenham, but the Magpies are hopeful of beating them to the 22-year-old’s signature.

Manager Steve McClaren is worried about the firepower available at the north east club and following another abysmal defeat, a 3-0 loss to Leicester on Saturday, he is keen to sign an extra frontman.

According to the article, Batshuayi is valued at £22 million but Marseille have attempted to discourage interest in the talented youngster by putting a staggering £35m fee on him.

According to the official club website, the highest transfer amount paid by Newcastle is the £16m used to purchase Michael Owen from Real Madrid in 2005, so any move for Batshuayi would likely involve smashing that decade-long record.

Newcastle’s current top scorer in the Premier League is midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum with six, but four of those came in the 6-2 demolition of Norwich a couple of weeks ago.