OPINION
It’s no secret that Newcastle United have struggled for production from their wingers this season, and it’s certainly an area of the pitch that manager Rafael Benitez needs to address in January.
One solution could be to join Wolverhampton Wanderers in the hunt for Huddersfield Town midfielder Alex Pritchard. The Sun reported earlier this week that the Terriers star was a £15million transfer target for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side.
Pritchard is the type of player that Newcastle should be looking to poach. He has impressed for a lower-level Premier League team, and his next move would appear to be a mid-table side.
That is where the Magpies are at this moment in time. However, due to the size of the club, the quality of the manager, and the potential for new owners in the future, they offer a large amount to an ambitious young player like Pritchard.
From Newcastle’s point of view he is someone that they desperately need. His versatility and quality on the ball would be a god send for a team that has lacked creativity throughout the season.
The 25-year-old made his name as a winger, where the Magpies clearly need help, but he has flourished this season playing off the Huddersfield frontman.
Benitez’s side need assistance in that position, too, where Ayoze Perez has flattered to deceive and Yoshinori Muto is yet to truly make an impact.
Pritchard is a dead ball specialist, too, another string to his bow that would further endear him to supporters on Tyneside. He brings much creativity, as well as an ability to run with the ball from midfield, something that Newcastle haven’t had enough of this campaign.
David Wagner would be loathe to lose him, of course, and Wolves would provide stiff competition, but if the Magpies play up their history, the size of the club and the top class manager that they have they might be able to persuade him to forego a switch to Molineux.
It wouldn’t be an easy deal to get done, but it’s one that Newcastle could really do with completing. Pritchard is a talent on the rise, and St James’ Park would be a fine next destination for him.
