OPINION
It’s become clear this season that Newcastle United are missing a quality number ten who can link midfield and attack, while providing regular goals.
Southampton’s Manolo Gabbiadini could be the man for the Magpies. The Italy international is a versatile attacker who is being wasted at St Mary’s Stadium.
And, as reported by the Mirror on their transfer centre [13/12; 02:05] new Saints boss Ralph Hasenhüttl is considering selling the frontman in order to free up space for new additions.
Now, the Mirror claim that he is being lined up for a return to his homeland, however Newcastle could surely persuade the 27-year-old to prolong his stay in the Premier League.
Gabbiadini made a lightning start to his career in England but has gone sharply downhill since then. There is the sense that the bloom is off the rose for the former Napoli man, but you could just as easily claim that he has been a victim of the turmoil that has engulfed St Mary’s Stadium over the past couple of seasons.
It’s fair to say that he has probably been mismanaged on the South Coast. He would benefit, then, from a spell under the tutelage of the man who signed him for Napoli.
Benitez obviously saw something in the player then, and he could be the one to turn his career in England around now. Gabbiadini has shown in the past that he is capable of scoring goals, he just needs the right set up for that to happen.
He would surely benefit from playing alongside Salomon Rondon and profiting on the fantastic hold up play of the Venezuelan. Gabbiadini can then drop deeper to link play between midfield and attack.
He is undoubtedly a more talented player that current Magpies number ten Ayoze Perez, whose inconsistency is maddening. Bringing someone of Gabbiadini’s quality in to challenge the Spaniard could also bring out the best in him.
Newcastle need some help going forward and the Saints striker could represent a perfect solution to what ails the Magpies. Benitez should be aiming for a reunion with the player in January.
Fireworks would be guaranteed if a deal could be done.