'Pointless': Pundit fears £25m target will flop at West Ham or Newcastle

PARIS, FRANCE - DECEMBER 12: Aleksandr Golovin of Monaco during the Ligue 1 Uber Eats match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and AS Monaco (ASM) at Parc des Princes stadium on December 12, 2021 in Paris, France. (Photo by John Berry/Getty Images) — Photo by John Berry/Getty Images

Newcastle United and West Ham are keen on Aleksandr Golovin but a move to the Premier League would be ‘pointless’, former USSR international Aleksandr Bubnov tells SportBox.

Golovin has not exactly flopped at Monaco. Far from it.

Last season, he contributed five goals and nine assists as Niko Kovac’s side came within a whisker of their a Ligue 1 title since the days of Kylian Mbappe, Fabinho and Bernardo Silva.

But while it would be unfair to label the £25 million playmaker a disaster, some in the Principality would be within their rights to feel he has been a bit of a disappointment.

After all, big things were expected of Golovin when he arrived from CSKA Moscow after a handful of dazzling performances at the Russian World Cup.

But, despite reported interest from a number of Premier League clubs, it’s difficult to escape the feeling that his development has plateaued somewhat at a club famed for turning potential into world-leading talent.

Will Golovin thrive in the Premier League?

“They say English clubs are interested in Golovin. My opinion is that a move to the Premier League would be pointless,” says Bubnov.

“The league is very strong. It requires a lot of energy. Constant workloads and a tight schedule are exactly what Golovin is not made for because he is prone to injury.

Monaco's Russian midfielder Aleksandr Golovin reacts during the French L1 football match between AS Monaco (ASMFC) and Dijon (DFCO) at the Louis II Stadium in Monaco on November 9, 2019. (Photo by YANN COATSALIOU / AFP) (Photo by YANN COATSALIOU/AFP via Getty Images) — Photo by YANN COATSALIOU/AFP via Getty Images

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“I don’t think that Aleksandr will suddenly begin look much brighter there. He simply does not have the physicality. Even in France, he rarely lasts a full match.”

Reports from Russia claim that Golovin would welcome the opportunity to join Diego Carlos, Kieran Trippier and Chris Wood at St James’ Park, joining Newcastle’s relegation-fighting revolution.

West Ham have made contact too, though Monaco’s Vice President insists that they are yet to receive an approach from the London Stadium club (RB Sport).

“I can’t say that he has become a key player at Monaco but at least he plays quite regularly,” Bubnov adds. “The team has ambition, it is fighting for European competition.

“The player himself has also adapted and feels comfortable (in France). Now a new coach (Philippe Clement) has arrived, it is curious how he will use Golovin.

“It’s bad that coaches change so often. The player has to adapt to new requirements all the time. Perhaps partly because of this, Golovin’s progress stalled.”

Everton have also been linked with the 25-year-old playmaker. Though his potential arrival at Goodison Park seemed tied to the now-departed Rafa Benitez (Athletic).