OPINION
Newcastle United’s form has improved of late, but it still cannot be said that the club have been exactly free scoring in the Premier League this season.
It’s no surprise, then, to see the Chronicle report that a striker is top of manager Rafael Benitez’s January wish-list.
One such striker, who gave a reminder of his quality on Thursday night, is Dominic Solanke. The Chronicle [07:57] claims that the Liverpool man is a player that Benitez admires hugely and has scouted in the past, while being someone he would love to bring to St James’ Park.
The Magpies’ ability to move for Solanke is complicated by the fact that they already have their two domestic loan signings in Kenedy and Salomon Rondon, meaning that a move for Solanke would have to be a permanent one.
Why shouldn’t the club make a permanent bid for the youngster, though? It’s thought that Jurgen Klopp rates the player highly but there is nothing to suggest that that is actually the case.
The 21-year-old has yet to make a first team appearance for the club this season, proving rather emphatically that he is not in Klopp’s first team plans at this time. In fact, he is completely frozen out.
The Englishman showed for the England U-21’s on Thursday what he can do. He scored twice with two poachers finishes in a 2-1 victory over Italy’s U-21’s.
That goalscoring ability would be ideal alongside the more physical presence of target man Salomon Rondon. Playing just off the Venezuelan would do wonders for Solanke, giving him the opportunity to gobble up the opportunities Rondon creates.
Some people may feel that Newcastle wouldn’t be able to afford Solanke, but has the player done anything to show he’s worth more than £10million or so? That’s a sum that Newcastle could afford and it’s worth enquiring at least. Perhaps they could even include a buy-back option to sweeten the pot for the Reds.
The former Chelsea man would do well to escape from the suffocating experience of English football’s big clubs. He hasn’t been able to make the grade at Stamford Bridge or Anfield, but he could fulfil his potential in a less pressurised environment like St James’ Park.
A striker is undoubtedly on the agenda for Benitez this January, and Solanke could be just the man. It’s a move that would benefit all parties, and Newcastle should seriously consider giving Liverpool a call.
St James’ Park would roar if they did.