OPINION
Newcastle United must pounce for Brighton striker Jurgen Locadia in the January transfer window to provide the support Salomon Rondon really needs.
According to the Sun, Locadia is unhappy at the Amex Stadium and is frustrated at the lack of game time that Chris Hughton is offering him – but insisted that if he were to leave, then he does not want to be loaned out to a club in the Championship.
“I have to play weekly but I’ve never had the chance to show what I am worth. I haven’t had a clear explanation why I don’t play and I don’t feel that my situation will change quickly,” he told the Sun.
“Soon there will be a conversation and I hope Brighton respect me in this situation. I want to play at the highest and not be loaned to a club in the Championship or something like that.”
If this is the case with Locadia, then Newcastle would be very wise to snap him up in January, as he could transform the team in the blink of an eye.
The 25-year-old has struggled for game time with most of his appearances coming from the bench and it is clear that he is growing fed up – so he would be more than happy to join a club like the Magpies where his first team opportunities will not be as limited.
Admittedly, the attacker has not managed to prove himself, but with a striker like Glenn Murray in the starting XI, it was clear that his chances would be few and far between when he arrived on the South Coast.
It would take time for the Newcastle fans to warm to him – his record is not the greatest – but with regular minutes under his belt, getting into the first team should become a breeze.
United need another striker to ease the burden on Rondon, and seeming as Locadia is unhappy where he is, it makes complete sense to make the switch to Tyneside.
Newcastle can strike gold by securing this capture, which would ensure that their spot in the Premier League is all but assured for next season.
