Moussa Marega has trurned down a contract with FC Porto (Getty Images)
Towards the end of August, a report from Portuguese publication A Bola (h/t Chronicle Live) had credited Newcastle United with an interest in FC Porto striker Moussa Marega.
It was reported back then that the Magpies had offered €15million for the Malian international but the Primeira Liga giants refused to sanction a sale for a fee below €20million.
Newcastle eventually forked out £20million to secure the services of Callum Wilson from relegated Bournemouth before the summer deadline as Steve Bruce was successful in adding more firepower to his goal-shy attack from the previous campaign.
Moussa Marega started his professional career with Le Poire-Sur-Vie and Amiens in the French third-tier and also had a brief stint at Esperance de Tunis in Tunisia before moving to Portugal with Maritimo in 2014.
The powerful hitman bagged an impressive 15 goals in 34 appearances for Maritimo over two seasons, with his exploits earning him a move to domestic giants Porto.
The 29-year-old has gradually blossomed into one of the most devastating centre-forwards in the Portuguese top-flight over the past few years. Marega has plundered 63 goals and 30 assists in 155 appearances for Porto in all competitions, terrorising defences in the Primeira Liga with his brute power and clinical finishing.
A full international for Mali since 2015, Marega has earned 25 caps for his nation so far, representing them at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
Newcastle’s decision to make a significant outlay on Callum Wilson in the summer has already started to pay rich dividends. The England international has netted 6 times in 8 league appearances for the Magpies so far, adding some much-needed firepower and clinical edge to the club’s goal-shy attack.
Steve Bruce’s side managed only 38 goals in the Premier League last season but they look well on course to registering better numbers this time around if Wilson continues to fire on all cylinders up top.
To that end, though, Newcastle will surely need some of the other strikers in their squad to chip in with significant goal contributions, something that remains a major cause of concern moving forward.
Joelinton has struggled to adapt to life in England, scoring only twice in 45 league appearances for the Magpies since the start of last season. Andy Carroll made a fairytale return to St. James’ Park last summer but is yet to find the net in the Premier League.
Hence, with Dwight Gayle also out of contract next summer, Newcastle would be well within their rights to look for a new centre-forward in January. And the Toon Army simply can’t afford to miss out on testing Porto’s resolve with another offer for Moussa Marega during the mid-season trading period.
The Malian marksman is out of contract at Porto next summer, meaning the Portuguese giants will have no other option than to sell him for a cut-price fee in January. Hence, the door remains open for Newcastle to go all out in their pursuit of Marega.
The 29-year-old has backed up his strong domestic performances in Portugal with some quality displays in the Champions League over the years. Marega boasts an impressive tally of 7 goals and 6 assists in 18 appearances for Porto in Europe’s elite club competition, which clearly underlines his pedigree to deliver the goods against top-quality opposition.
Newcastle need a quality striker to work in tandems with Wilson in front of goal and Marega would represent an instant upgrade on underachievers like Carroll, Gayle and Joelinton at Tyneside. Having said that, the Magpies shouldn’t hesitate to go back in the market for Marega in January.