RB Salzburg midfielder Valon Berisha isn’t viewed as being the right answer to Newcastle United’s No.10 problem, according to a reliable journalist.
The Chronicle’s Chris Waugh shared that the Magpies did scout the 25-year-old left-sided midfielder who scored 13 goals in his 2017/18 campaign but that Rafa Benitez has been tracking a whole host of targets in that position.
It was previously reported by the northern newspaper earlier in June that the Magpies’ scouts had been impressed after watching Berisha perform.
The Chronicle also stated in June that the Magpies had scouted up to 10 creative midfielders with Berisha being someone that the club had followed for a long period of time.
“It is my understanding that Newcastle have scouted Valon Berisha, and fairly extensively from what I’m told, but for whatever reason he does not seem to be the player the Magpies view as the answer to their No 10 problem,” said Waugh during a Q&A for the Chronicle.
“Berisha’s record for Red Bull Salzburg appears excellent – he has contributed 40 assists and 45 goals in 221 games – but translating that form from the Austrian top flight to the Premier League is perhaps not as straightforward as it may seem.
“Benitez has had a whole host of players tracked in every position since he first took charge, so Magpies fans must trust he has identified other targets for the No 10 position who are either more attainable, or in the Spaniard’s view better-suited to the Premier League.”
OPINION
This is disappointing news as Berisha sounds like the perfect signing give his 2017/18 campaign. Aside from scoring 13 goals the midfielder also contributed 11 assists in his 35 outings to help his side’s cause. However based on what Waugh has stated it seems that the Magpies weren’t convinced about signing him despite scouts reportedly being impressed. It’s understandable that playing in the Austrian league gives Benitez some doubt about whether he can instantly jump to the Premier League but it still seems an odd decision to give up the pursuit. Berisha can only excel against the opposition put in front of him and until someone takes a chance on him that’s all he can do. While the Magpies don’t have the budget to make risky gambles in regards to their incomings, the 25-year-old’s price tag is probably a lot more reasonable than the other options the Spanish manager is looking at. If the Magpies boss is holding out for a player with Premier League experience then he’ll never sign a No.10 on his budget.
