Report: Newcastle United to bid £50m for Serie A top scorer Ciro Immobile

Newcastle United are reportedly ready to smash their transfer record to sign Lazio striker Ciro Immobile.

The Magpies are in the final stages of a £300m Saudi-led takeover that will make them one of the richest teams in world football.

A number of high-profile figures have been tipped to join United once current owner Mike Ashley is officially bought out, including Barcelona playmaker Philippe Coutinho.

Immobile is the latest star player to be touted as a target for the Toon, with Italian outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport reporting that they are prepared to go as high as £50m with their offer.

That would surpass their current record of £40m to sign Joelinton from Hoffenheim last summer.

Italy international Immobile has scored 116 goals in his last five Serie A campaigns, either side of spells with Borussia Dortmund and Sevilla, and leads the scoring charts this term.