Newcastle United almost signed now-West Ham United striker Javier Hernandez in the summer, but did they dodge a bullet?
By virtue of the fact that Newcastle United are only two points above the relegation, you couldn’t say Rafael Benitez’s are having a great season back in the Premier League so far.
But perhaps the feeling around their season would be a bit more gloomy if their botched transfer targets from last summer were all ripping up England’s top flight at other clubs.
But that isn’t the case and Newcastle fans should be particularly thankful for Javier Hernandez’s struggles at West Ham United.
According to Magpies legend Alan Shearer, Benitez had all but signed Hernandez for the Tyneside outfit, but a last-minute cancellation saw the Spanish manager have to look elsewhere and wound up with a bargain-basement Joselu for £5 million.
Shearer told BBC’s Match of the Day program on December 23: “He [Benitez] wanted to bring players in.
“I know he had Javier Hernandez and Tammy Abraham ready to come in, those deals were pulled at the last minute, which is why he had to spend £5m on Joselu.”
The Mexico international joined the Irons for £16 million, according to The Telegraph, but the former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker has only managed four goals in 21 appearances for the East London outfit since joining.
With that in mind, it certainly looks like the 29-year-old’s best days are behind him and although he’s still an upgrade on Joselu, would he have been the goalscorer that Newcastle need this season?
Based on his activity at the Hammers, no.
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