OPINION
After the recent injury to Florian Lejeune, reportedly losing out on the signing of Kurt Zouma is a big blow.
As reported by Takvim, Newcastle United are set to miss out on the loan signing of Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma.
The Turkish outlet claim that although Newcastle hold an interest in the central defender, Fenerbahçe are now the favourites for his signature. The report reveals that the Super Lig club have offered a £1.3million fee to take the defender on loan but the Blues are looking for a £3.1million fee.
This news is yet another transfer disappointment for Rafael Benitez in this summers transfer window for Newcastle. Considering the club’s massive recent injury blow, with Florian Lejeune picking up a season-ending cruciate ligament injury, their transfer plans need to accelerate in order to keep the team at the same level as last season, never mind improving it.
The signing of Zouma would have gone some way to doing that. The 23-year-old, who currently earns £40,000-per-week on his Stamford Bridge contract (Spotrac), spent last season on loan at Stoke City and made 37 appearances in all competitions. He didn’t have the best of seasons but still showed his quality and was unlucky to be part of a very poor Stoke side.
The Frenchman is extremely strong, quick and an excellent all-round defender, he would have made a big impact at St. James Park this season.
The state of the Magpies squad is getting worse and worse by the week and even if they do manage a few decent signings before the transfer window shuts, they’ll either pay above the market rate, as it’s too late for clubs to replace players, or panic buy and bring people in who wouldn’t really improve their team.
Either way, this summer has exposed the awful organisation within the club, from owner Mike Ashley to the transfer team and the rest of the board. The Toon needs drastic change as soon as possible if this club is to progress. Losing Lejune is a huge blow and he needs to be replaced.
