Newcastle United should offer former Man City striker a lifeline

Newcastle United are in dire need of new strikers and one former Premier League champion might be available for free.

Newcastle United are focused on their preparations for the final nine games of the season, but all eyes are also on the pending takeover of the club.

The paperwork has been signed and submitted to the Premier League in the second week of April, but league officials continue dragging the process on. This silence and inactivity is impacting how the club handle internal contracts as well as their summer transfer strategy.

The Magpies have been linked with some notable attacking players from Gareth Bale to Philippe Coutinho, but one former Premier League champion is about to become available for free.

According to a new report, Brescia’s owner is planning to terminate Mario Balotelli’s contract after the Italian international skipped multiple training sessions in recent weeks.

Balotelli is recognized as one of the most controversial and ill-disciplined players to ever grace a football pitch, but he is also a natural talent when it comes to scoring goals.

Balotelli struggled to perform at Liverpool, but enjoyed a good run of form in two of his three seasons with Manchester City. The 29-year-old was also in top form with 26 goals in 43 games when he played for AC Milan as a youngster.

In recent seasons, Balotelli showcased his individual brilliance in France when he played for Nice and Marseille between 2016 and 2019. During that time period, Balotelli scored 51 goals in 91 games across all competitions. Just two seasons ago, Balotelli found the back of the net on 18 occasions in 28 league games for Nice.

Balotelli agreed to join his hometown club Brescia last summer, but the newly-promoted side have been abysmal all season, and this is reflected in the fact that they only have 16 points through 26 games. Brecia’s ultra defensive style of play has placed a ceiling on Balotelli’s individual success as he has only scored five goals in 19 games.

Balotelli is clearly looking for a new challenge. Two teams in the MLS are keen on securing his services, but, as crazy as it sounds, Newcastle United should swoop in and sign the veteran striker.

Most of you are shaking your heads because of his disciplinary record and drama off the field, but I shake my head every time I see Dwight Gayle miss from close range, Yoshinori Muto shy away from shooting, and reading that Andy Carroll picked up another injury.

Balotelli is a proven striker who has the pace, strength and prior experience to play in the Premier League. In my opinion, Newcastle United should offer Balotelli a one-year deal with an option to extend his contract depending on his form.

What are your thoughts regarding this proposal? Let us know in the comments section below.