OPINION
At some point this summer, when the dust has settled and we know who owns the club and whether or not Rafa Benitez will still be managing there next season, Newcastle United are going to have to get round to signing some players.
The squad built by the Spaniard did a brilliant job in the second half of the last campaign, but improvements are needed if the Magpies are to avoid another relegation dogfight next term.
As always, if Mike Ashley remains in charge, the club will have to walk something of a tightrope in the transfer market, balancing quality acquisitions with cost-effectiveness.
That’s why, on the face of it, a £6 million move for Jefferson Savarino, as reported by Sky Sports, seems like a smart idea.
The 22-year-old Venezuelan plies his trade in the MLS for Real Salt Lake, and hit three goals and two assists in 13 appearances last season.
Given the instant impact Miguel Almiron had on the Magpies when he arrived on Tyneside in January, you can understand why United would be tempted to seek a similar sort of deal for a tricky South American this summer, especially if the price is as low as £6 million.
The fact of the matter is, however, that the Toon Army do not need a player like Savarino, and should not sign him.
According to Whoscored, the wide man has issues holding onto the ball, and averaged 2.6 moments of bad control per match, as well as being dispossessed 1.7 times on average.
That paints a picture of a fairly wasteful player, and when you factor that Savarino made on average just one key pass per game last term, you have to ask yourself whether that inefficiency is worth such a low creative return.
The answer is surely no.
