As transfer fees continue to rise, finding worthwhile players with minimal buyout clauses in their contracts is becoming a tactical way of acquiring new players. Last summer's transfer window saw several players signed for absolutely astronomical fees, so it's become a trend to see clubs pouncing as soon as they see an opportunity to capitalise on a lowly figure. The latest is Hoffenheim striker Joelinton, who possesses a mere £36 million buy-out clause, which is peanuts compared to the fees being paid for squad players in the current climate.
Netting ten goals and contributing ten assists over the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal last season, Joelinton Cassio Apolinario de Lira is looking like the next big name to come out of Brazil, and at twenty-two, he's got years of improvement ahead of him. Two Premier League clubs are already seeing regular ties to the striker, and it could be the case that we see more English sides throwing their hat into the ring as the window draws to a close in August.
Newcastle United hoping to bring in Joelinton as Salomon Rondon's replacement
Standing at six foot, two inches tall, Joelinton is steadily being used as a target man, incorporating his skill for holding up the ball and using his immense strength. One of Newcastle's many failings at the end of the last Premier League season was putting up little to no fight for on-loan striker Salomon Rondon, who eventually joined outgoing manager Rafa Benitez in the Chinese Super League.
With the market in its infancy on Paddy Power, Joelinton has been given a surprisingly short 2/5 price to join Newcastle, with it assumed that he's seen as a younger replacement to the Venezuelan striker. It would help the bookmakers if they were able to see any sign of a strategy from Newcastle, but with Mike Ashley waving goodbye to highly-rated Rafa Benitez and replacing him with Sheffield Wednesday manager Steve Bruce, your guess is as good as theirs.
The first club to be linked with Joelinton was Wolves, who made far more sense despite usually referring to Portugal for their incoming acquisitions. It could be the case that Wolves are more interested in signing Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa instead, as it currently feels like Newcastle would struggle to make a case for the player ahead of a constantly building Wolves. If a deal was to fall apart involving Wolverhampton Wanderers and Diego Costa, it could be worth considering the 9/1 price for Nuno Espirito Santo's side to sign Joelinton instead.
Joelinton Next Club Odds
(All odds taken from Paddy Power)
- Newcastle - 2/5
- Wolves - 9/1
- West Ham United - 10/1
- Everton - 25/1
