OPINION
Newcastle United need to bring in a striker this summer, but manager Rafa Benitez looks to have his hands tied as owner Mike Ashley attempts to keep costs down yet again.
It is looking certain that the Spaniard will have to dip into the bargain and loan markets in the coming weeks, just as he did last summer, and that will massively limit the kind of players he can hope to sign.
There is however the occasional gem to be found among the rubble, and there looks to be exactly that available this summer for the Magpies.
The Mirror report in their live transfer blog (Saturday, 19:04), that Swansea are set to lose striker Wilfried Bony after their relegation from the Premier League.
The Ivory Coast international has held talks with Besiktas over a loan deal, and would reportedly be available for just a £3million loan fee as the Swans look to offload him from their wage bill.
Bony’s second spell at Swansea, which began with a £12million move from Manchester City a year ago, has not gone to plan at all, but the 29-year-old still has a lot to offer.
It is easy to forget how unplayable the powerful forward was at times during his first spell at the Liberty Stadium, with Bony being a revelation for the Swans following a move from Vitesse Arnhem.
The 29-year-old managed 25 goals in 54 games for the club during that first spell, and Newcastle could do with a striker with such a record.
His powerful yet intelligent play up front could well blossom once again under the watchful eye of Benitez, and Newcastle must launch a last-minute swoop for his services this summer.
The nature of the deal that is on the cards, being a year-long loan, takes some element of risk out of the move, with Newcastle not having to keep Bony next summer if he flops.
There are few moments when you get the chance to sign a potential one-in-two striker with Premier League experience for just £3million, and the Magpies must not miss out on such an opportunity this summer.
