Newcastle United wouldn’t be the ‘first-choice club’ of Napoli striker Victor Osimhen if he was to move to the Premier League, according to journalist Dean Jones.

The Magpies have been linked with several strikers since becoming the richest football club in the world last year, but their hopes of signing Osimhen have suffered a potential blow.

What is the latest news involving Osimhen?

According to Italian outlet Il Mattino (via Calcio Napoli), Newcastle are keen to prise the prolific hitman away from the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in the summer, although he’s not expected to come cheaply.

Osimhen – who is valued at £54m by Transfermarkt – cost Napoli a whopping €81.3m (£67m) in July 2020 following an outstanding season with Lille, and owner Aurelio De Laurentiis is believed to want to recoup that fee.

The Nigeria international has established himself as one of the most feared goalscorers in European football after registering 21 strikes and seven assists in 53 appearances for Napoli.

And Osimhen’s stock has risen even further during the current campaign after spearheading Gli Azzurri’s Serie A title charge by racking up 15 goal contributions in just 23 outings.

With just over three years remaining on his current contract, it remains to be seen if the 6 foot 1 dynamo is willing to depart Naples in the summer, but it’s set to be an intriguing few months ahead.

What has Jones said about Osimhen?

With Luciano Spalletti’s charges sitting just three points behind league leaders AC Milan in the Italian top-flight, Osimhen has a prime opportunity to collect his first piece of major silverware this season.

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And Jones has revealed that the star forward, who Cagliari manager Walter Mazzarri described as “phenomenal”, would rather move to another side should he make the switch to England.

He told GiveMeSport: “When you can show ambition and huge investment, then anything is possible, I guess, but from what I've heard, Newcastle wouldn’t be his first-choice club if he was to come to England.”

Who else could Newcastle sign?

Newcastle brought in Chris Wood from relegation rivals Burnley during the January transfer window, but the £25m ace is yet to find the back of the net for his new side.

As a result, the likes of Thomas Muller and Harry Kane have been linked with audacious moves to St. James’ Park, although only time will tell if they are realistic targets.

Meanwhile, The Mirror have claimed that Lille’s Jonathan David is also on Newcastle’s radar, and Jones has previously told GMS that he is a ‘more realistic’ option.