‘Medical done’ – Newcastle United & Aston Villa-linked striker agrees £22m deadline day transfer
A striker linked with Newcastle United has agreed to sign for another Premier League club.
Newcastle have been credited with an interest in Greece under-21s international Stefanos Tzimas, who is enjoying a prolific campaign at Bundesliga 2 outfit FC Nurnberg. On loan from Greek club PAOK FC, the 19-year-old has scored 10 goals and provided two assists in 18 appearances.
A host of Premier League clubs – including the Magpies, Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea – had reportedly been keeping tabs on Tzimas but it is Brighton who have swooped in first.
It’s understood Nurnberg will activate Tzimas’s £15million buy option, enabling him to join Brighton in June at the end of his loan.
Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg wrote on X: “DONE DEAL | Stefanos #Tzimas will join Brighton, starting in summer 19 y/o striker wanted to join Brighton after very good talks with Fabian Hurzeler, as exclusively revealed this week.
“FC Nurnberg have triggered the €18m option to buy. Brighton have agreed on €25m deal + add-ons. Medical done.
“Long-term contract signed, starting next season. Tzimas will finish the season at Nurnberg. Announcement on Monday.”
The door has been left ajar for Newcastle to make a late January move for striker target Jonathan David – but such move has already been ruled out.
The Canadian international is out of contract in the summer, and subject to strong interest from the Magpies. As previously reported, Newcastle are said to be confident they can land the player when his deal comes to an end.
United have boosted the coffers with the sales of Miguel Almiron and Lloyd Kelly for a combined £30m. But despite stimulating some PSR headroom, the club strategy so far has very much been to remain firm on their intention not to buy in the winter window.
The hope is that some short-term pain, will lead to long-term gain, and essentially allow United to spend more freely in a summer window where more of their targets will be available.
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