Khouma Babacar has discussed a move to Crystal Palace but Newcastle must join the chase for the Fiorentina striker.
With a striker top of Newcastle United’s January wishlist, surely a player who scored 10 goals in 13 league starts last season should be on their radar?
Yet, Newcastle are conspicuous by their absence as Premier League rivals attempt to lure Khouma Babacar to English football in the January transfer window.
La Viola News reported on Tuesday that Crystal Palace have held talks with the Fiorentina striker’s agent while West Brom and Brighton are also waiting in the wings.
Babacar rejected the chance to move to England in the summer but, after failing to start a single Serie A game all season under new coach Stefano Pioli, it is understood that he would give thought to a departure from the Stadio Artemio Franchi in January.
And Palace’s need for attacking options is even greater than Newcastle’s. The Eagles are bottom of the table with four points and four goals to their name after 11 matches.
On paper, the 24-year-old would be the perfect addition for Newcastle, however. He’s a typical, physical frontman who leads the line well and could prove a perfect fit for a side who tend to sit back and attack on the break.
And while Babacar has never started more than 15 games in a single league campaign, his goalscoring record is still eye-catching. He has 28 goals in 41 starts for the Florence-based club and, at the age of just 24, has plenty of potential and room for improvement.
With Aleksandar Mitrovic up for sale in January according to The Chronicle, Joselu and Dwight Gayle failing to prove that they are Premier League quality, it makes sense for Newcastle to join the chase for Babacar in January.
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