OPINION
Newcastle United must win the reported race for FK Jablonec midfielder Michal Travnik as he could be a bargain given his current valuation.
The Daily Mail reported on Saturday that the Magpies were pursuing the 24-year-old alongside Fulham, Augsburg and CSKA Moscow as they were looking to strengthen this side in January.
The newspaper claimed that despite Travnik being in red-hot form for Czech side FK Jablonec by scoring 10 goals, while assisting 10, in his 24 outings this season, that he was only currently valued at £4million.
Given that £4million hardly goes very far in the current transfer market, the Magpies must seize this opportunity to sign the 24-year-old who has been involved in 20 goals in his 2018/19 campaign as he clearly is a potential bargain.
While Travnik hasn’t played his domestic football outside of the Czech Republic’s top-flight, that doesn’t mean he won’t be able to cope with the demands of English football.
The 24-year-old has shown during his outings in the Europa League this season, that he has the skill set to play his football at a higher level than he currently does on a domestic level.
Also when you consider that current Magpies goalkeeper and success story Martin Dubravka was poached from Czech’s top-flight, then it shows that the division could be littered with possible Premier League worthy players.
Rafa Benitez is in needed of boosting his side’s firepower and recruiting a midfielder like Travnik, who can score and create chances, would certainly do that.
Also the 24-year-old is at an age where he will continue to improve and if the Magpies needed anymore reason to pursue him, the midfielder is also able to play as a holding midfielder as well as an attacking one.
This means that Travnik could provide cover for other options in Benitez’s midfield, which is a very desirable quality.
Therefore the Magpies must win the reported race for Travnik as not only could he be a bargain if he costs only £4million, he’s exactly what they need.
