OPINION
Newcastle United must hijack Premier League rivals Cardiff City’s plan to bid £15million for Troy Deeney and welcome the forward to St James Park.
The Sun reported on Monday that the Bluebirds were boldly plotting an eight-figure bid for the Watford forward and following the Magpies’ set-back in their quest to sign Salomon Rondon from West Bromwich Albion, Rafa Benitez should aim to beat Cardiff to the player’s signature.
Sky Sports reported on Wednesday that talks regarding Rondon’s proposed move to the Magpies had stalled as Benitez’s side simply hadn’t been able to agree terms with West Bromwich Albion as of yet.
However with time ticking down on the transfer window, the Magpies need to ensure they wrap up a deal to sign a new forward sooner rather than later.
The Magpies may have better luck tearing Deeney away from the Hornets as he started to look like he was losing his status as a guaranteed starter at his club at the tail end of the 2017/18 campaign.
The 30-year-old, who currently earns £45,000-a-week at the Hornets (Source: Spotrac), forward is capable of delivering the goals that the Magpies currently lack if recruited and knows the Premier League very well.
Deeney has scored 28 goals, while assisting 14, in 104 appearances in England’s top-flight and is a powerful presence upfront who can hold up the ball in order for his teammates to join the attack.
The Hornets striker’s goal return is slightly better than that of Rondon who has scored 24 goals in 108 Premier League outings and Deeney has also created more goals as the Baggies forward has only registered eight assists in his English top-flight appearances.
So given Deeney’s proven Premier League quality, his ability to score and assist as well as the fact it might be easier to secure a deal for his services then the Magpies should look to recruit him rather than Rondon ahead of the window closing.
