Stoke City legend Mike Pejic has revealed that the Potters will have no choice but to sell Joselu to Newcastle should the Tyneside club meet their asking price.
Magpies manager Rafa Benitez is looking to recruit a new striker ahead of the new season given that Aleksandar Mitrovic and Dwight Gayle are currently his only options up front.
The Spanish international Joselu also spent last season on loan with Deportivo La Coruna and only managed to score five league goals, which will increase the odds of the Potters selling.
Benitez is also said to be a fan of the player and now Pejic thinks that Mark Hughes’ lack of faith in the player may encourage a sale. He said, “I don’t think Stoke have much choice except to sell Joselu once the price is right.
“They have already turned down one bid from Newcastle which seems to have fallen way below their valuation. But something similar was said after the first offer for Jon Walters and he still ended up going to Burnley, so don’t be too surprised if Newcastle return with a figure more acceptable.
“I know Joselu has scored four goals in Stoke’s last two friendlies and everyone is now wondering if that will earn him a long-term reprieve here in the Potteries.
“But I just think it’s very difficult once a manager has made his feelings known and sent you packing, as Mark Hughes did with Joselu on loan to Deportivo La Coruna last season, for that bond of trust between manager and player to be restored.
“Joselu will always be wondering if and when he will get sidelined again because at the back of his mind is the thought that Hughes doesn’t really rate him anymore, not after being happy to send him away on loan for an entire season after just one year at the club.”
