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Newcastle turn their attention to Championship star after missing out on Bowen

By Durim Halimi

BRENTFORD, ENGLAND - JANUARY 28: Said Benrahma of Brentford looks on during the Sky Bet Championship match between Brentford FC and Nottingham Forest at Griffin Park on January 28, 2020 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Alex Burstow/Getty Images)
BRENTFORD, ENGLAND - JANUARY 28: Said Benrahma of Brentford looks on during the Sky Bet Championship match between Brentford FC and Nottingham Forest at Griffin Park on January 28, 2020 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Alex Burstow/Getty Images) /
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Newcastle United are interested in pursuing Brentford’s Said Benrahma after the club missed out on signing Jarrod Bowen last month.

Newcastle United brought in some quality players via loan deals last month, but they failed to sign a striker who could put an end to the team’s scoring woes up top. The Magpies were heavily linked with former Hull City star Jarrod Bowen, but he accepted a move to West Ham on the final day of the January transfer window.

Newcastle United supporters were hoping the club would make a last-second offer to Hull City to secure Bowen’s services, but the club remained inactive. The good news, though, is that it looks like the front office aims to avoid the same mistake when the summer transfer window opens.

According to a new report out of Tyneside, Newcastle United will join a long list of Premier League teams that are interested in signing Said Benrahma. The Algerian international has spent the last two seasons playing for Championship outfit Brentford. Benrahma has made 72 appearances for the Bees across all competitions and scored 19 goals. The “Algerian Messi,” as he is labeled by his countrymen, scored ten league goals last season and currently has eight league goals to his name this term.

Several reports that have been published this week claiming that Leicester City and Arsenal have also joined the race for the 24-year-old, so Newcastle United should expect a battle for his signature. According to the report linked above, Brentford’s asking price for Benrahma is believed to be around £15m, which is a reasonable price for one of the best players in the second tier of English football.

Some players are enticed by the interest of elite clubs, but thinking logically in this situation, Newcastle United are the best possible destination for Brentford’s star player. If Benrahma were to go Arsenal or Leicester City, he would not be a guaranteed starter, and playing for a club with high expectations for domestic and continental success makes it more difficult for a player to adapt to the Premier League.

Newcastle United are desperate for a player who can create chances for themselves with minimal support and Benrahma fits that bill. Joelinton has failed to meet expectations at Newcastle United, and players like Dwight Gayle and Yoshinori Muto will most likely be sold in the summer. Moreover, playing Benrahma alongside Miguel Almiron and Allan Saint-Maximin would benefit the Magpies in a big way as Steve Bruce would have three quick, technical players at his disposal.

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All that being said, the summer transfer window will not open until July, but Newcastle United would be wise to plan ahead and come up with an attractive marketing campaign to impress players like Benrahma. The main concern with Benrahma is that he might not excel in the top flight, but he is worth the gamble at £15m.