OPINION
Rafa Benitez needs to bring a new striker to Newcastle before the end of the transfer window and Lille hotshot Nicolas de Preville should be right at the top of his shortlist.
Sky Sports transfer expert Kaveh Solhekol revealed on his personal Twitter account that multiple Premier League clubs were interested in signing the 26-year-old after a sparkling 2016-17 campaign.
It is said that Lille would require around £10million if de Preville was to leave the Ligue 1 outfit, after he scored 14 goals last season in just 30 league games.
Couple of Premier League clubs interested in Lille striker Nicolas de Preville. Scored 14 times last season. Would cost about £10m
— Kaveh Solhekol (@SkyKaveh) August 10, 2017
A move away from Lille for de Preville would be an interesting one, after only signing a permanent deal with the French club earlier this summer.
The five-time France under-20 international was loaned to Lille during the 2016-17 season from Belgian outfit Oostende, before completing a permanent move in July.
Nevertheless, de Preville would prove a top signing at Newcastle after becoming renowned for his electrifying pace and eye for goal from anywhere in the final third.
Naturally a centre-forward, de Preville was used out on the left flank at times last season as well as being used as a number 10 behind the striker.
Showing a low centre of gravity, the former Reims ace also showed quality from dead-ball situations and he inspired Lille to a steady 11th place finish in France’s top tier.
Now, Newcastle are desperately in need of adding another striker to their ranks this summer after losing Daryl Murphy to Nottingham Forest and Adam Armstrong to Bolton on loan.
That leaves just Dwight Gayle and Aleksander Mitrovic, but the future of the latter remains unclear after a disappointing campaign last time around that saw him score just six times.
The Evening Chronicle claim Lyon, Besiktas and Fenerbahce are all interested in his services, with the Toon said to be willing to let him go if a bid of £16million is received.
Without the Serbia international, the Toon would be left with just Gayle and back-up is needed quickly with only three weeks still to go in the transfer window.
Bringing de Preville to St. James’ Park would be the perfect replacement then, as he boasts similar qualities to Gayle in pace and an eye for goal. In the form of his life, he would fire the Toon to Premier League safety.