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Newcastle must reignite Osborn interest in January

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Image for Newcastle must reignite Osborn interest in January

OPINION

It’s no secret that Newcastle United have struggled to create clear cut chances this season, it’s perhaps been their biggest weakness this term.

Despite the fact they’re yet to win a Premier League game this campaign, the Magpies haven’t been blown away by anyone.

No, their problem has been at the other end of the pitch. To that end, the club should be looking to make a January move for Nottingham Forest winger Ben Osborn.

The Chronicle reported this summer that the Magpies have scouted Osborn extensively over the past couple of seasons. That interest won’t have just gone away and, considering the team’s creativity issues, is something that should be revisited in the winter transfer window.

Osborn has proven himself to be a terrific Championship player in recent years, and has shown the potential of being a Premier League calibre midfielder, too.

The former England youth international’s range of passing and fantastic technical ability would make him an asset to any team that brings him in, while he wouldn’t possess the daunting price tag that makes Mike Ashley go an even more sickly shade of red than usual.

Transfermarkt currently value the player at £2.6million, a paltry sum even by Newcastle’s standards. At just 24 years of age Osborn has plenty of time to grow and fulfil his enormous potential in the top flight.

The Forest man wouldn’t solve all of Newcastle’s issues single-handed, but he is the type of addition the team needs to help get them out of their current predicament.

Osborn is a left midfielder by trade, which is a position that Rafael Benitez has desperately struggled with this season. Kenedy, Christian Atsu and Jacob Murphy have all failed in their attempts to nail down a starting spot, and Osborn would be the perfect upgrade on that side of the pitch.

The 24-year-old can also operate at left back and in central midfield, two areas that have plagued the club this campaign.

As mentioned earlier, Osborn isn’t a cure-all for the Magpies, but his signing would be a good place to start for a team that is in desperate need of inspiration.

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