Newcastle ‘set sights on beating Everton’ to £29m star; Toffees confirm Allan departure | OneFootball

Newcastle United are said to have ‘set their sights on beating Everton’ to the signing of Villarreal attacker Nicolas Jackson amid his ‘glowing reports’.

Jackson has been a breakout star in La Liga at the start of this campaign. He only eight times in the league last term but he shone for Villarreal B.

The 21-year-old has featured more prominently so far this season, though. He netted his first senior goal for Villarreal in their 3-0 win over Real Valladolid last month.

It was a priority for Newcastle and Everton to sign a new striker during the summer transfer window.

The Magpies were initially linked with Hugo Ekitike but they ended up bringing in Alexander Isak from Real Sociedad for a club-record £63m fee.

Everton’s need for a new striker was arguably more serious with Dominic Calvert-Lewin currently out of action with an injury.

The Toffees enjoyed a decent summer in the transfer market and one of their final signings was Neal Maupay from Brighton.

But Football Insider are reporting that Newcastle and Everton are ‘in the market for attacking reinforcements in January’.

Everton were linked with Jackson in the summer and Newcastle have reportedly now ‘joined them in the race’ to sign him.

The report states that the player’s current contract includes a £29m release clause. Villarreal are ‘keen to keep hold of Jackson’ but they may be ‘forced to sell’.

Jackson may even be available for less than this fee as his current contract at Villarreal is due to expire in 2023, according to transfermarkt.

The report adds that scouts from Newcastle and Everton have watched Jackson this season and they have ‘delivered glowing reports’.

It will be tough for Everton to beat Newcastle to the signing given the latter’s financial might, but Jackson is a player both could do with.

Everton are limited on options up front and now they have one less midfielder to choose from.

This is because Allan has completed move to the Abu-Dhabi-based side Al Wahda for an undisclosed fee.

This deal was able to be completed as the UAE transfer window does not close for another week.

“Everton thanks Allan for his service and wishes him all the best for the future,” the club noted in a statement.

The 31-year-old signed for Everton before the 2020/21 campaign from Napoli for around £21m. He was one of Carlo Ancelotti’s standout additions that summer.

The midfielder played 57 times for the Toffees across all competitions over the past two seasons. But he did not start any of their last six games of last season.

Allan has found himself down the pecking order this term. He did not play a single minute under Frank Lampard at the start of the 2022/23 campaign prior to his exit.