OPINION
It’s generally not a proper transfer window until Newcastle United get linked with Eintracht Frankfurt striker Sebastien Haller.
Luckily for all you transfer aficionados, then, that link duly arrived on Friday. German publication The FR reported that the Magpies are in the hunt, along with West Ham United, for the Frenchman this summer.
As alluded to, this isn’t the first time that Rafael Benitez’s side have emerged as contenders for the 24-year-old. The Northern Echo claimed in October that Haller was Newcastle’s number one transfer target going into the January window. That didn’t come to fruition, of course, but the Haller talk obviously refuses to go away.
Having said that, now is the time for the Magpies to finally bite the bullet and bring the Frankfurt star to St James’ Park – he’d be a big hit with the Toon Army.
This is a man who scored 20 goals for the Bundesliga side this season despite playing second fiddle to striking sensation sensation Luka Jovic at the Commerzbank-Arena. He also secured 12 assists, a remarkable tally considering his proficiency in front of goal.
At 6ft 2in [Source: Transfermarkt] he fits the blueprint of what Benitez is looking for in terms of a technically-gifted frontman. Although, crucially, he is far younger than Salomon Rondon.
The bad news for the Newcastle faithful is that Frankfurt are said to want between £26.5million and £31million, not sums that the Magpies are used to parting with. Obviously that could change if the mooted takeover of the club goes through, but that’s still a big sum for a striker with no Premier League experience.
Still, everything about Haller would indicate that he’s worth the risk. His record is fantastic, his form is tremendous and he appears to be tailor made for Benitez’s team. What’s not to like?
