OPINION
Newcastle are reportedly favourites to sign Austria Wien attacker Olanrewaju Kayode this summer after he smashed his way to the top of the Austrian Bundesliga goalscoring charts last season.
African outlet Score Nigeria claimed sources have revealed that the 24-year-old is expected to sign with the Toon within the next few days, with only a work permit likely to be the only stumbling block.
However, those behind the deal are said to be confident that Kayode’s work permit will go through successfully and the three-time Nigeria international will be a Newcastle player before the end of the window.
Wien’s number eight shone for Wien last season, scoring 17 league goals in Austrian Bundesliga outings to finish the season with the division’s golden boot.
In all competitions, the speed machine found the back of the net 24 times and laid on a further seven assists for Wien, as they finished second in the table behind RedBull Salzburg.
Here, This Is Fubtol considers whether Kayode would be a good move for the Toon and whether a move is likely to be completed in the near future.
Good move for Newcastle?
Kayode’s stats are second to none. Showing both an unwavering eye for goal and the creative nous to create goals for his teammates, Wien’s number eight is more than worth a gamble in the Premier League.
Although the quality of opponents is a lot below the standard of the Premier League in Austria’s top division, Kayode has still had to put the ball in the back of the net; which he has down with aplomb.
Playing in a division that is devoid of serious quality, Kayode is likely to be available for a cheaper price than someone who is more proven in Europe’s top divisions.
Newcastle are also in need of a another striker after losing Adam Armstrong and Daryl Murphy and with doubts surrounding the future of Aleksander Mitrovic, Kayode is a risk worth taking.
This Is Futbol rating: 8/10.
Likely to happen?
Playing in Austria, Kayode will find it very difficult to turn down the chance to move to the Premier League and chance his arm against some of the best players in the world.
The Nigerian has two years remaining on his current contract, but with Newcastle likely to be able to afford any kind of fee that Wien quote the Toon you would expect that a move is likely to occur.
However, there are concerns over whether a work permit will be successfully granted to Kayode, who has only made three senior appearances for the Nigeria national team.
That seems to be the only barrier to Newcastle completing a move to sign the attacker this summer, as Rafa Benitez looks to press on with his summer transfer activity ahead of the Magpies’ opener against Tottenham on Sunday.
This Is Futbol rating: 6/10.