Former Newcastle United player Malcom Macdonald has criticised the club’s decision to sign striker Joselu amid speculation over the Spaniard’s future with the club.
Joselu is thought to be set to leave St James’ Park during the summer transfer window, with La Liga side Alaves interested in the forward, according to the Chronicle.
The Spaniard joined Newcastle from Stoke City in the summer of 2017 for a fee of around £5million, but the striker has failed to hold down a regular starting place at Newcastle and could be set to leave the club this summer.
Macdonald has questioned Newcastle’s decision to sign Joselu in the first place and suggested he should not have been bought by the club.
“I’m more amazed the he arrived in the first place. Joselu couldn’t get a game at Stoke City when United signed him and they were heading only one way. How he was on the books of Real Madrid I’ll never understand,” Macdonald told the Chronicle.
OPINION
Macdonald is right to point out at that Joselu was a surprising signing when he joined the club from Stoke two-years ago. The striker cost Newcastle £5million, but he has failed to impress at St James’ Park managing just six goals in his 46 appearances for the club. Rafa Benitez did not afford Joselu much game time last season, with the Spaniard making just five Premier League starts with the likes of Salomon Rondon and Ayoze Perez well ahead in Newcastle’s attacking pecking order. It appears unlikely that Joselu would be able to force his way into the first team picture on a regular basis again next season, and therefore a move away might be the best option for both parties. Joselu is not a player who lacks desire, but it has become apparent that he is lacking in the sort of ability Newcastle will be needing from their main centre-forward in the coming years if they are to progress. As Macdonald suggests the Spaniard has not been a successful signing and both parties would be best to cut their losses this summer.