Newcastle Toons
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3 MLS players Newcastle should scout this summer

By Durim Halimi

CARSON, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 28: Albert Rusnak #11 of Real Salt Lake takes the ball down the field during a game against the Los Angeles Galaxy at Dignity Health Sports Park on April 28, 2019 in Carson, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)
CARSON, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 28: Albert Rusnak #11 of Real Salt Lake takes the ball down the field during a game against the Los Angeles Galaxy at Dignity Health Sports Park on April 28, 2019 in Carson, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images) /
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The transfer rumors related to Newcastle United are endless, so let’s turn the attention to some players the Magpies should consider scouting.

With all the talk about a potential takeover of Newcastle United, most of you, either jokingly or seriously, want to see Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al Nehayan to bring in players like Kylian Mbappe, Antoione Griezmann and Gareth Bale. As nice as that would be, I will tone down the excitement a bit by providing a realistic list of players that Newcastle United should scout from across the Atlantic.

Miguel Almiron came over from the United States and the former MLS star began to adapt to English football quite well before picking up a hamstring injury. That being said, Almiron was a top talent in the MLS who was ready to be a surefire starter for the Toon. The three players I will include in this list are not standout stars in the MLS, but they would provide some good depth and internal competition for regular minutes on Tyneside.

Aaron Long

Aaron Long is a 26-year-old defender for the New York Red Bulls. At the end of last season, Long was recognized as the MLS Defender of the Year and his impressive form with the Red Bulls has earned him five caps with the U.S. national team. With Long leading the back-line, the Red Bulls only conceded 33 goals in 34 games last season and they have a top five defensive rating after 14 games this season.

Long is an aggressive defender who wins most duels, boasts plenty of pace and can serve as an aerial threat on set pieces. The U.S. international recently signed a new deal with the Red Bulls, but an offer from a Premier League side would be difficult to ignore. He would add good competition in the back, especially for DeAndre Yedlin and Paul Dummett.

Albert Rusnak

Newcastle United already have one Slovakian on their roster, but it would not hurt to add a second. Albert Rusnak is an attacking midfielder who is enjoying stellar form with Real Salt Lake. The Manchester City academy product has scored 22 goals in 74 games for Real Salt Lake since joining the MLS side in 2017, and has already scored five goals this campaign.

He is known for scoring goals, but he has also contributed offensively with 23 assists for Real Salt Lake.  The Slovakian playmaker is in the best form of his career and the timing for a move to England is perfect. He is a dynamic midfielder who creates chances for himself and orchestrates the attack for others around him. Newcastle United would be wise to scout Rusnak this summer.

Alberth Elis

Last, but not least, we have Alberth Elis from the Houston Dynamo. The 23-year-old winger from Honduras would be an upgrade to Joselu and Yoshinori Muto, and he could provide Salomon Rondon with much-needed competition, assuming the Venezuelan returns to the club. Elis is not overly dependent on being fed the ball and this is reflected in the fact that he has taken 203 shots over the last two-and-a-half seasons in the MLS.

His goal-scoring record is respectable with 25 goals in 67 games. So far this season, Elis has scored four goals and completed six assists. Famous players like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Wayne Rooney and other big profiles have kept Elis’ name in the shadows, but he has sufficient talent to play in England.