OPINION
With Salomon Rondon’s future up in the air after an excellent season on loan at Newcastle United, the Magpies lack a top class striker at the moment.
One man who they are reportedly eyeing is Eintracht Frankfurt frontman Sebastien Haller, according to German publication The FR. That would be an ideal signing, a terrific striker who excelled for the Bundesliga side despite living in the shadow of now-Real Madrid superstar Luka Jovic.
Unfortunately for the Magpies, however, it appears that Premier League giants Manchester United are also interested in the 24-year-old. The Daily Mail reported on Friday that he is one of a number of players Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is taking a look at.
This likely means that Newcastle’s pursuit of the Frankfurt ace is up in smoke. United may be suffering through hard times at the moment, but they are still a far more attractive destination than Rafael Benitez’s side.
Even if the Red Devils aren’t definitely going to make an offer for Haller, their interest will likely turn the attacker’s head enough for him to put a move to St James’ Park on the back-burner.
That would be a shame for Newcastle, because he is exactly the sort of frontman they need. He is almost a Salomon Rondon clone, but five years younger and therefore fitting within the Magpies’ recruitment policy. Plus, he has shown himself to be a regular goalscorer, bagging 20 goals and claiming 12 assists this term.
It’s a shame, then, that if big clubs like United are circling it’s unlikely that the Frenchman will end up on Tyneside. That’s a blow, to be sure, but will hopefully place the onus on the club to secure Rondon as soon as possible.
