OPINION
Newcastle United have a dreadful record when it comes to producing homegrown talent, and the drought looks to continue this summer.
Paul Dummett was the last name of note to break through the youth ranks on Tyneside and establish himself as a first team regular, with many others trying, and failing, to make the grade.
One man who looked as though he might be able to follow in Dummett’s footsteps was diminutive striker Adam Armstrong, with the England under-21 international picking up 21 appearances for the Magpies’ senior side.
However, loan spells at the likes of Barnsley and Bolton have not resulted in the development Newcastle would have been hoping for, and at 21-years-old, it is time for a crunch decision to be made over the 5’6″ (source: Transfermarkt) forward’s future.
The Sun’s Alan Nixon has touted on his personal Twitter account that a loan this summer is most likely for the youngster, with a view to build his value for a permanent exit later down the line.
However, with two years left on the young attacker’s contract, leaving it a year before selling up will cut, rather than boost, his value, with the need of a sale must more desperate then than it is right now.
If Armstrong is not going to cut it at St James’ Park, and quite frankly he has never shown many signs of becoming the hitman the Toon Army had hoped for, then a loan is senseless, regardless of whether anyone is putting a big offer on the table.
Newcastle would be better off giving the green light for his exit, letting offers roll in and igniting a bidding war, making the most money to hand Rafael Benitez to help bolster the first team.
Money is tight, and right now the Spaniard would rather have cash in hand than a player who may or may not increase his value with a year away – as such, a sale is a must.