OPINION
It’s always tempting to go overboard with January additions when your team has struggled in the first half of the campaign, but in the case of one player Newcastle United should resist the urge to make a move.
Bologna’s Mattia Destro is a frontman who simply isn’t worth the trouble of signing. The Italian is a once-promising striker who now resembles a shell of his former self.
Despite that, Italian outlet Calcio Mercato reported earlier this month that the Magpies were indeed interested in a move for the 27-year-old.
Luckily for Newcastle it appears as if they aren’t the only ones targeting the Italian. Tutto Mercato claimed on Friday that Crystal Palace and Fulham were both considering making a move for the attacker.
It is crucial that manager Rafael Benitez leaves the team’s Premier League rivals to fight it out for Destro. The Italy international simply isn’t the player that he used to be and would wind up being a net negative in this Magpies team.
While not overloaded with talent, the Spaniard has a few decent options up front at St James’ Park at present. Salomon Rondon is the main man and he proved just why against Bournemouth before the international break with a scintillating display.
He is backed up by Ayoze Perez and Yoshinori Muto, who tend to play off the main striker, and Joselu. And while an extra forward to provide competition for the Venezuelan would be ideal, Destro simply isn’t the man.
The Bologna striker is goalless in six Serie A games so far this season, and scored just six goals in the entirety of the last campaign.
Does that sound like the man who is going to fire Newcastle to glory? Surely there are better options available than a washed up Italian who hasn’t played a minute of Premier League football in his career?
Additions are needed in January, that much is clear, but Destro would be the definition of a panic buy from Newcastle and they must steer clear of him.
