Newcastle United show interest in striker who is not ready for EPL

Newcastle United are set to make a big mistake in the January transfer window.

Newcastle United were praised for completing some of the best transfer business in the Premier League this summer. With five quality signings through the door, most of whom have had an immediate impact in the squad this season, the expectation among supporters is for the club to maintain those standards in future transfer windows.

However, a new report out of Italy seems to put Newcastle United in reverse. According to a report from Tuttosport (via Sport Witness), Newcastle United are interested in pursuing a deal for Spezia striker M’Bala Nzola. Joining the Magpies in the race for his services are West Ham United, but this is not a risk the front office at St. James’ Park should take.

Nzola has two goals and one assist to his name in four Serie A appearances this season, which is impressive, but his own agent came out and said, “I think M’Bala must now consolidate his experience in the Serie A”, which translates to “he is not ready for the Premier League just yet”.

Nzola has played at the professional level since the age of 19, but this is his first spell in the top flight of any league. The 24-year-old striker has spent the majority of his career in Italy’s lower divisions, primarily in Serie C, and even then his numbers were far from impressive.

With 26 goals in 105 Serie C appearances, and eight goals in 33 Serie B matches, it comes as a surprise that he is on Newcastle United’s radar.

After failing to get any sort of production from Yoshinori Muto and Andy Carroll in recent seasons, one would assume that Newcastle United would be scouting players with a proven record in front of goal to provide true support for Callum Wilson.

In addition, this supposed transfer interest would stray away from a new policy Mike Ashley has put in place – buying more talent from the United Kingdom.

It remains to be seen what will come of this transfer pursuit, but my hope is that it is nothing more than a rumor. If not, then fans should hope West Ham beat Newcastle United to Nzola’s signature as he is not the type of player the Toon need if they aim to be a top ten side.