A section of Newcastle United fans have been reacting on Twitter after it was reported that the club is in talks to sign Lyon centre-forward Myziane Maolida.
French newspaper L’Equipe has reported that the Magpies have made contact with the Ligue 1 giants as Maolida, 19, could be on the move this summer after they signed teenager Reo Griffiths from Tottenham.
Maolida enjoyed a breakthrough season at Lyon last term in which he made 22 appearances in all competitions and scored three goals in the process, his first in senior football.
And while most Newcastle fans are sceptical about them even completing a signing this summer, some are excited about the France Under-19s international’s potential arrival at St James’ Park.
This is Futbol has rounded up some of the best tweets:
No chance he costs money
— Andrew Wells (@Wellzy95nufc) August 2, 2018
This Maolida will be another Lacazette/Aubameyang situation. We will offer £2m short get rejected then he’ll go on and be sold in the future for over £50m. How Ashley is a successful billionaire I have literally no idea #nufc
— Liam (@L1ammm1) August 2, 2018
https://twitter.com/farrarnufc/status/1024980566339452928
https://twitter.com/Adrian____29/status/1024981438956023809
I hadn’t heard of Maolida until 5mins ago but I’ve decided he’s exactly what we need after a quick YouTube scout (see last Tweet). Get him in. #NUFC
— The Big Toona (@toonintoonout) August 2, 2018
https://twitter.com/Bri2889/status/1024992611873030144
This guy probably like Tammy Abraham
— Max Razums (@MRazums) August 2, 2018
OPINION
While Maolida looks like a decent prospect who has come through the famous academy at Lyon, he is not really what the Magpies need at this stage of the summer transfer window. Rafa Benitez needs a striker who is going to score goals for the club in the Premier League straight away, not in several years time when he has finished developing. If Benitez had the money to spend then it would certainly be worthwhile signing a good young player like Maolida, but when Newcastle are practically scraping the barrel, they need to set their all of their time and resources on the first team.