OPINION
Newcastle United must hijack the reported hunt for Atalanta forward Andrea Petagna as the powerful player would significantly boost the club’s goal threat.
Premier League pair Wolves and Southampton are chasing the 23-year-old’s services according to Tuttomercatoweb and that the Serie A side value their player as being worth somewhere between 10 million euros (£8.85million) and 12 million euros (£10.6million).
It is believed that Atalanta could be willing to consider selling Petagna as this report claims they intend to put a 10% future resale clause in any potential deal, which suggests they’re not completely against cashing in on him.
This means that based on his report valuation the forward could be sold for somewhere in the region of £9.5million as that figure is nearly directly in the middle of the highest and lowest estimate for the player.
If able to be picked up for that price, given the inflated valuations on the current transfer market, the Magpies would be smart to solve their forward problems by snapping him up.
Petagna who stands at 6ft 2in tall (Transfermarkt) is a powerful forward that is capable of using his physicality to hold up play and he could easily bully Premier League defences if welcomed.
The 23-year-old aside from being able to use his strength to hold on to the ball, he is capable passer of the ball and loves to take on opponents by using his fancy footwork to best them.
Petagna ended his 2017/18 campaign having scored six goals and registered nine assists in 39 outings and could easily improve those numbers under Rafa Benitez’s guidance.
The forward’s finishing may still need a little work as his lack of composure can sometimes see him fluff his lines but given that he is 23-year-old, he will be able to significantly improve that side of his game with the help of a knowledgeable boss.
The Magpies need all the help they can get when it comes to boosting their goal threat for the 2018/19 campaign and given that Benitez is thought to be bargain shopping this summer, as reported by the Chronicle, then Petagna’s valuation makes him a realistic target.
Therefore the Magpies must hijack the Saints and Wolves’ interest in the 6ft 2in forward as he could be just the man to lead Benitez’s front line for many seasons to come.
