OPINION
There is no doubting that Newcastle United’s lack of activity in the January transfer window stems from the reluctance of owner Mike Ashley to splash the cash and with takeover hopes some might understand why he is avoiding putting his hands in his pockets.
However, there is building frustration among the St James’ Park faithful with the lack of backing Rafael Benitez is being offered, both this month and in recent windows, and with a relegation battle forming on Tyneside, there have to be improvements to avoid the drop.
The only way the Spanish boss appears to have any chance of securing a new arrival is if it costs little to no money whatsoever – and with prices skyrocketing in recent years, that is almost an impossibility.
However, at a reported maximum price of £8.8million (€10million), as claimed by RMC Sport, the Magpies could do a lot worse than right back flyer Kenny Lala, France Football reporting that Benitez’s side have kept close tabs on the French-born 27-year-old.
With a fee of between £7million and £8.8million reported to be Strasbourg’s asking price, he is a relative bargain in the modern market and is the sort of signing which would have Ashley beaming at a prospective profit.
Yes, he might not be as young as others out there but any amount of Premier League experience is going to add a couple of millions onto his price tag and that is the business that Ashley is into.
If Strasbourg are really willing to let him go so cheap, then Newcastle need to pounce on that bargain and make the owner a happy man indeed.