Striker is the number one need at Newcastle United. But, who should they choose to target?
Newcastle United have added Martin Dubravka and Ki Sung-yueng this summer on permanent deals. But, the position everyone knows the club needs most has not been addressed yet. Rafa Benitez and his staff are searching for a competent striker, after dealing with dismal performances from Joselu and Dwight Gayle last season. There are a few main options still available to the Magpies and our staff give an insight into who they would choose. First, let’s get to know the top three targets.
The Targets
Nicolai Jorgensen
Age: 27
Club: Feyenoord (Netherlands)
2017-18 stats: 26 league matches, 10 goals, three assists, four Champions League matches, two goals
Rumored price tag: 15 million
Alassane Plea
Age: 25
Club: OGC Nice (France)
2017-18 stats: 35 league matches, 16 goals, six assists, eight Europa League matches, four goals, and an assist
Rumored price tag: 20-27 million
Salomon Rondon
Age: 28
Club: West Bromwich Albion (England)
2017-18 stats: 36 league appearances, seven goals, three assists
Rumored price tag: 16.5 million (Rumored release clause)
The Picks
Durim Halimi chooses Salomon Rondon
Newcastle would be wise to purchase Salomon Rondon as his experience in the Premier League would benefit the club. Yes, Rondon has only displayed mediocre form, but that is because he played for a mediocre, and now relegated club. Rondon would, in my opinion, blossom at Newcastle. The 4-2-3-1 formation that Rafa Benitez often deploys would provide Rondon with sufficient support to create multiple scoring opportunities in each match. He may not be a 20-goal machine up top, but he would certainly score in double-digit figures.
Carson A. Merk chooses Alassane Plea
While he very well may be priced well outside of Newcastle United’s range when it’s all said and done, Plea is the most talented player out of the three by a comfortable margin. He buried 20 goals last season in Ligue 1 and Europa League and is also the youngest option available. I think if he comes to Tyneside, he can become a superstar and a consistent goalscoring striker that Newcastle United desperately needs.
Declan Ryan chooses Salomon Rondon
Whilst I don’t believe Jorgensen, Plea, or Rondon would completely transform this Newcastle side, there absolutely is value in signing a known quantity and Rondon is exactly that. With over 100 Premier League appearances for West Brom, and all those coming in only 3 seasons, Rondon would be an extremely reliable player for Benitez and at 28 years old, he could be a positive senior influence on a young Newcastle squad. At 6”1 and blessed with incredible strength, the Venezuelan is always a danger at set pieces, bullying defenders both going forward and defensively also. Not the most polished finisher, Rondon has never reached double digits in terms of league goals. Nonetheless, it’s safe to say Benitez is a far more capable manager than Tony Pulis who managed Rondon for most of his Premier League career, and if the price is right, Rondon will be an instant upgrade for Newcastle at the striker position.