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Opinion

Latest transfer targets are kind of names Newcastle United should be attracting

7 years ago
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It has been a slow and somewhat painful transfer window for Rafa Benitez and Newcastle United fans, as the transfer window enters the final month.

So far Benitez has drafted in five fresh faces costing around £30m, however the Magpies still have business to do, and you get the feeling the best business is still to come.

Everyone connected to the club has sat back and watched teams with similar stature such as West Ham and Everton splash the cash this summer, leaving fans feeling annoyed with owner Mike Ashley.

Since gaining promotion in April it has been clear where Newcastle need to strengthen to compete in the Premier league.

Despite signing England u21 international Jacob Murphy and young prospect Mikel Merino from Borussia Dortmund, Benitez feels he still needs to add to his midfield, and has been linked with £15m rated Greek international Andreas Samiris from Benfica.

Samiris has been on Newcastle’s radar for much of the window, however the price tag set on the 28 year old seems to be putting officials at NUFC off, and it seems any deal for him will be unlikely.

In the past couple of days there has been some fresh transfer links, with reports stating Benitez has been in contact with the agents of Angel Correa and Lucas Vazquez, two names who have whet the appetite of fans, who are crying out for a statement signing.

Correa fits the structure of what Mike Ashley is looking for. A young talent with a possibility to develop and offer a bigger value to the club in the future.

Vazquez has been getting game time at Real Madrid however he isn’t a regular starter, and Benitez hopes he can use his contacts at Real Madrid to persuade the La Liga giants to allow the Spaniard to join the Magpies.

The 25 year old is someone who the fans believe would add genuine quality to the squad and be one of the first names on the team sheet.

However, people connected to the club may feel he might be out of reach, with the fact that he has also been linked with a move to Arsenal and Roma this summer.

One area where Benitez has no choice but to strengthen is at the top end of the pitch, with only Dwight Gayle being a potent goal scorer, and reports that Aleksandar Mitrovic will be heading for the exit door in the coming days/weeks.

Over the weekend Newcastle have been linked with out of favour Arsenal forward, Lucas Perez, with the Gunners placing a £13.4m price tag over his head.

The Spaniard who joined Arsenal last season from Deportivo La Coruna failed to nail down a regular starting place and has told Arsene Wenger he wants to leave.

Judging by the reaction of NUFC fans on twitter, the majority seem to be in favour of a move for Perez to St James Park.

There is no doubt Perez would add goals to the team, and at 28, he would add experience to what is a relatively young squad.

However, the question is whether Mike Ashley will allow the money for someone that age.

What is clear is that there will be more signings through the door, be it permanent or on loan, and the way prices have inflated so far this window, the latter (loans) may be the best option for Benitez to add the quality he is looking for in his Newcastle United squad.

(All contributions from Newcastle fans welcome, send articles (as well as ideas/suggestions) to contribute@themag.co.uk)

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