OPINION
Newcastle United could play a blinder if they revive their interest in signing Brentford attacker Said Benrahma in the January transfer window after it was reported that the Algeria international was on the Magpies’ radar in the summer.
According to the Shields Gazette, Newcastle were tempted to snap up the 24-year-old winger, who had a superb season at Griffin Park in the Championship.
He scored 11 goals and supplied 17 assists in 45 appearances across all competitions last season for Brentford before injury ended his campaign early and thus ruled him out of playing for Algeria in the Africa Cup of Nations over the summer.
Benrahma’s injury is perhaps what stopped Newcastle from pushing on in trying to sign him because the former OGC Nice attacker only made his first start of the season in the 3-0 win against Derby on August 31, just before the international break started.
He was in superb form in that win against Derby and according to stats by WhoScored, had five shots at goal, completed four key passes, four dribbles and one cross.
Benrahma, for someone who had spent such a long time on the sidelines, was back with a bang and is looking every bit like a player that Newcastle should attempt to sign in the January transfer window if Steve Bruce’s attack is still struggling to break down Premier League defences.
One issue is that the Algerian attacker could cost £30million due to a price-tag that was slapped on his head earlier this year amid interest from the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham and West Ham [TeamTalk].
However for £30million, Newcastle would be getting themselves someone who is proven in English football, is only 24-years-old and could add some serious firepower to an attack that has scored just three goals in four Premier League matches so far – only Watford have scored fewer.
