Newcastle United to compete with Barcelona for striker who has 17 goals in last 17 games

Newcastle United are continuing to add names to their summer shopping list with several positions in desperate need of additions in order to compete in Europe next season.

Whatever happens this season, Newcastle will play in Europe next season and as such will need to flesh out the paper-thin squad to cope with the extra games to avoid issues like we had last season.

The squad is already dangerously thin as Eddie Howe has hinted at several times heading into the final stretch of this campaign.

One or two injuries now could really derail the Magpies's season, but there's nothing we can do about it now.

Newcastle could battle Barcelona for Vangelis Pavlidis

One position Newcastle are looking to strengthen is centre forward. We may have one of, if not the best striker in the world, but if anything should happen to him our options aren't the best.

Miose Kean, Jonathan David and Liam Delap are just three names that have been mentioned as potential targets for Paul Mitchell, but now a report from Portuguese outlet Record has suggested Newcastle and Barcelona could go toe-to-toe in a battle for Benfica star Vangelis Pavlidis.

Atletico Madrid and Chelsea are also keen on the striker who has hit 24 goals in 46 games this season, scoring 17 in his last 17 appearances.

Pavlidis has a £86 million release clause in his contract

The 26-year-old has an £86 million release clause, but Benfica's financial struggles could mean that a more reasonable fee could be negotiated.

Newcastle have often eyed players from Portugal and then not made their move, usually regretting that decision when seeing the players we were once linked with a move elsewhere and become great. Gonçalo Ramos anyone?

Pavlidis looks like a good option to have on the list but we're not sure where he stacks up against some of the other names in the frame. We'll have to wait until the summer to find out.