OPINION
Newcastle United boss Rafa Benitez has clearly indicated that the club will have to break their transfer record this summer as they search for new additions to take them to the next level.
While there is no doubt that the Magpies will need to do so, with their record still standing at the £16.5million they splashed out on Michael Owen in 2005, that is not to say they must spend lavishly across the board.
There will still be some bargains available this summer, and the way in which the club go about securing low-cost signings will be key to their hopes as well.
As reported by the Liverpool Echo, there are question marks over the future of young striker Divock Origi, who has spent this season on loan in the Bundesliga with Wolfsburg.
The Belgium international joined the Reds from Lille in 2014 for a fee of £10million, and has gone on to score 21 goals in 77 appearances for the club.
While the 23-year-old has struggled in the Bundesliga this season, scoring five goals in 34 appearances, there have been flashes of brilliance from the speed demon, who looks likely to move this summer.
Newcastle would do very well to swoop for Origi, who would surely not cost much more than the £10million Liverpool spent on him in 2014, with just a year left on his deal at Anfield.
The forward would bring some much-needed pace and power to the Magpies attack, with his lung-busting runs adding a directness that has rarely been seen this season at St. James’ Park.
While his scoring record may not look that impressive, Origi has regularly been used as a substitute over the past few seasons, and his minutes-to-goal ratio stands around one every three games.
That does not make him the prolific attacker that Newcastle are explicitly searching for, but he would not be the club’s marquee signing, merely a brilliant addition to the squad.
Origi will be keen to prove himself in the Premier League once again, and Benitez would no doubt be able to turn him into a much-improved performer.
The Spaniard must therefore use his extensive contacts at Anfield to try and secure a deal for the 23-year-old this summer, in what would be a clever swoop for the Magpies.
