Newcastle United’s hierarchy ideally would like a new forward to fit the club’s age profile whereas Rafa Benitez just wants a proven one to arrive, according to Chronicle journalist Chris Waugh.
The reliable journalist also shared that Rafa Benitez was looking for a pacey attacker, who could be an alternative to Salomon Rondon, and that the club had scouted several potential options in recent weeks.
Waugh suggested that Eintracht Frankfurt striker Sebastien Haller could be a compromise option between Benitez and the board but he would require the Magpies to stump up a club-record fee.
“Newcastle United are yet to finalise their specific January targets yet – but they have compiled a long list of players they are currently scouting,” wrote Waugh on the Chronicle’s Live Blog (November 8, 15:16).
“One area which is of the utmost priority is striker, given that Newcastle have only scored seven goals in 11 Premier League games so far this season.
“The Magpies have watched a few forwards extensively in recent weeks – and the majority of them are based on the Continent.
“Rafa Benitez would ideally like a pacy forward who can provide an alternative to Salomon Rondon; someone who can play as a lone striker, or alongside another.
“The issue may arise when it comes to age profile.
“Ideally, the Newcastle hierarchy would like to sign a player under the age of 26 who has a potential sell-on value, but Benitez wants a forward who is already proven.
“Someone like Sebastien Haller may be a decent compromise option – but he will only be recruited if United cough up a club-record fee.”
OPINION
It wouldn’t be a surprise if the Magpies’ board remained stubborn regarding what they want in a new forward and that ends up causing the club to welcome no one in January. However hopefully that situation doesn’t emerge as it sounds awfully similar to how the last two transfer windows have gone. While the board aren’t unwarranted to want a player under 26 who they can sell on to arrive, they must realise someone who fits that bill costs money. This is especially the case if they’re a forward who has shown any sort of clinical form in recent times as lethal finishers are worth their weight in goal and their price tags reflect that. Therefore it seems likely that Benitez and the Magpies’ board are going to have to engage in several discussions regarding potential attacking targets, as there is clearly a conflict in what they both want and what the budget being offered may be able to get.
