Sun journalist Tom Barclay claimed that Newcastle United would be making a canny signing if they opted to sign Fulham attacker Ryan Babel in the summer.
The national journalist shared that he thought the 32-year-old left-sided winger had looked impressive since joining Fulham in the summer and could succeed at the Magpies if Rafa Benitez stayed on.
Barclay pointed out that Babel was set to be available on a free transfer and hinted that he’d likely be keen on a move to someone like the Magpies due to wanting to keep his place in the Netherlands squad.
Ryan Babel may be 32 but he's looked impressive since coming to Fulham. Available on a free in the summer and hungry to maintain his Dutch place ahead of the Euros – would be a canny signing for someone like Newcastle, particularly if Rafa stays, playing across that front 3
— Tom Barclay (@TomBarclay_) April 27, 2019
“Ryan Babel may be 32 but he’s looked impressive since coming to Fulham,” wrote Barclay on his Twitter account.
“Available on a free in the summer and hungry to maintain his Dutch place ahead of the Euros – would be a canny signing for someone like Newcastle, particularly if Rafa stays, playing across that front 3.”
OPINION
Babel has been a highlight of Fulham’s miserable season and it’s no surprise that someone thinks he’d succeed at St James Park as a result. The 32-year-old has scored five goals and registered four assists in his 14 Premier League outings this season, so can clearly cut it in England’s top-flight. Also given that he’d be able to be picked up for free in the summer, then Magpies would be able to move for him without a problem. However it’s worth noting Babel and Benitez are known not to see eye-to-eye. In an interview with The Independent, Babel seem to suggest that his time at Liverpool didn’t work out as Benitez broke several promises to him. The 32-year-old never excelled at Anfield and if he truly believes that the current Magpies boss is a factor in that being the case, it’s unlikely Babel would want to work with him again. However if Benitez leaves St James Park, maybe that would aid a potential move to the Magpies for the impressive Premier League attacker.