OPINION
The World Cup finals are far more than just a tournament for a lot of players.
It’s a shop window to help you force through a lucrative move to Europe and a stage to prove you’re worth the big money – but clubs have to be careful not to make expensive mistakes and Rafa Benitez could be on the verge of one.
The latest World Cup talent to be talked about is Uruguay’s Giorgian De Arrascaeta, according to talkSPORT, who claim that Rafa Benitez is ready to match his side’s £18m valuation for the player.
The diminutive playmaker has won 16 caps for his country and featured twice in the World Cup finals, including 59 minutes in the opening game against Egypt.
He’s been at Brazilian club Cruzeiro for the past three years where he has scored 20 goals and registered 13 assists in 90 games.
TalkSPORT claim that the 5ft 9in attacker is interested in a move to Europe and that Rafa Benitez is willing to pay the £18million that he is valued at.
However, there’s no proof that he would be a success in the Premier League and Newcastle must focus on bringing in a striker instead.
De Arrascaeta would have been hoping for more of a showcase this summer, playing for a strong Uruguay side that impressed on their way to the quarter-finals.
However, he was subbed off in the 1-0 win against Egypt and only played 27 minutes after that, in the impressive 3-0 win against Russia.
De Arrascaeta is untested outside of South America and you’d have to think that Benitez would need to be 100% sure about someone before spending this sort of money.
Now the World Cup’s over, more and more players will be linked with moves to the Premier League. We think there will be other players linked to Newcastle with more legs.
