Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez has placed Venezuelan forward Jan Hurtado at the top of his shopping list as he prepares for a busy transfer window, according to the Express.
The English newspaper claim Newcastle will face strong competition from European sides Sampdoria, Atalanta and Marseille for the striker but the reported takeover could push them into the driving seat.
Hurtado, 19, currently plies his trade for Argentinian side Gimnasia La Plata and would reportedly set the Magpies back £7million.
19-year-old Hurtado made his senior Venezuelan international debut in March and has endured an average season in front of goal for his club. In his 17 appearances for his club, he has only managed two goals and a single assist – with both of these goals coming in his previous two fixtures.
Good move for Newcastle?
The suggestion that Jan Hurtado will be topping Benitez’ shopping list seems strange. Hurtado is a young talent who clearly possess a lot of potential, as highlighted by the clubs lining up to sign him.
A reported figure of £7million is cheap in this market for a 19-year-old who is attracting attention from everywhere and that could mean there isn’t a huge risk in this deal. The problem is whether he warrants the attention on his performances this season.
Newcastle need an established forward for next season and a young forward who has only managed two goals in 17 fixtures certainly isn’t that.
This is Futbol rating: 6/10
Likely to happen?
Any transfer story including Newcastle and Mike Ashley requires you to take extra care when choosing whether to believe it. Should the BZG group takeover go through, Newcastle would have a larger war chest to splash out the cash and a young forward could be seen as a lesser priority.
Hurtado would take a lot of training from Benitez to become exactly what the Spaniard wants from a forward and the potential permanent signing of fellow Venezuelan Salomon Rondon could sway Hurtado to the North East if both were to happen.
This is Futbol rating: 5/10