Town and newly-promoted Newcastle United have made enquiries regarding Dinamo Bucharest striker Andrei Cristea, according to reports in the Romanian press. The 26-year-old scored 20 goals and recorded seven assists in 38 games in all competitions last season.
Dinamo have put a price of £1.7 million on Cristea, but Newcastle are reportedly set to test their resolve with a bid of £1.25 million.
The Blues are also said to have shown interest in Cristea but with Dinamo preferring to deal with Premier League clubs and their greater financial resources.
A quick frontman, Cristea was born in Bacău and started his career with hometown side FCM Bacău, joining Steaua Bucharest for $1 million in 2004.
Two years later, having failed to establish himself with Steaua as they won two league titles, the 5ft 10½in tall striker joined FC Timişoara, despite interest from French side Sochaux.
A loan spell at Politehnica Iaşi followed in the second half of the 2007/08 season, Cristea’s goals helping save the club from relegation from the top flight.
In May 2008 Cristea signed a five-year deal with his current club. After scoring two goals in eight games, Cristea moved back to Politehnica Iaşi for a second loan spell in January 2009, returning to Dinamo the next summer, having netted seven times in 15 games as they again avoided the drop.
Once back at Dinamo, Cristea established himself in their first team and was the top scorer in the Romanian league during 2009/10 with 16 goals, netting a further four in other competitions.
Cristea has been capped nine times at full level and on 14 occasions by Romania’s U21s, but so far without netting an international goal.