Fulham would demand a huge fee for Tom Cairney but Lewis Baker has proven in the Eredivisie that he is the man Newcastle United need.
Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez
It has been clear for some time that a goal-scoring midfielder is high on Rafael Benitez’s list of demands at Newcastle United. Though that does not mean the club has to pay a monstrous fee to land this rarest of beasts.
According to The Sun, Chelsea may be willing to loan out Lewis Baker again next season and Magpies’ manager Benitez is running the rule over a player Jose Mourinho once tipped for England.
The report adds that Premier League rivals Bournemouth and Swansea City are interested in the gifted 22-year-old. And with good reason.
Lewis Baker has seven goals in 13 games for England’s Under-21s
The Chelsea academy graduate is one of the most exciting young central midfielders in England. However, with his teenage years now well behind him, you could be forgiven for wondering where Baker has been hiding all this time.
The answer, somewhat inevitably, is the Netherlands. Like Dominic Solanke, Matt Miazga, Nathan Ake and co, Baker travelled that well-worn path from Chelsea to Vitesse Arnhem, joining on loan in the summer of 2015.
However, it was his second season that proved far more successful. Helping Vitesse to the first major trophy in their history with the KNVB Cup, Baker also plundered 15 goals from central midfield – including some bona fide worldies and dazzling free-kicks.
Clearly, Baker possesses that goal-scoring instinct that none of the midfielders currently at Newcastle’s disposal can match, even play-maker Jonjo Shelvey.
Bargain move
And although owner Mike Ashley has promised Benitez a huge transfer war chest this summer, this should not prevent them from throwing their hat into the ring for one of the window’s most inspired bargains.
The Express reported recently that Fulham will demand £20 million for long-standing Newcastle target Tom Cairney this summer. That would make the Scotland international their record signing.
Fulham’s Tom Cairney missed out on promotion
However, despite being arguably the most gifted player in the Championship, netting 12 goals from midfield including a wonder strike in a masterful performance at St James’ Park, Baker could prove to be an even more inspired addition.
And certainly a cheaper one too.
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