Zenit St. Petersburg will reportedly challenge Newcastle United for Bundesliga star Alassane Plea, who could leave Borussia Monchengladbach this month.
According to Fabrizio Romano on Twitter, the reigning Russian Premier League title-holders have asked the German club about the availability of the French attacker. As per the tweet, Plea is also on Newcastle’s list of striking targets following the arrival of Chris Wood.
As reported by Bild, Gladbach value the striker at around £30m. Yet this fee could easily be lowered given the rotten time Plea has had this season in front of goal in the German top-flight.
The forward has only scored three goals in 18 Bundesliga appearances, with Gladbach enduring one of their worst seasons in recent memory. And big-name players such as Plea are seemingly keen on leaving the sinking ship.
With former Gladbach manager Marco Rose lauding Plea as an ‘exceptional player’ as per Bild, it’s no surprise why clubs are chasing the 28-year-old this January, with Zenit and Newcastle the two sides most interested in the Lille-born attacker.
After Wood signing, Plea is the last of Newcastle’s worries
Plea is just one of many strikers Newcastle have been linked to in recent days following the arrival of Wood from Burnley. Yet if the Toon are to stand any chance of survival, they are looking at the wrong area of the pitch to strengthen.
It doesn’t take much to realise that central defence and central midfield are in dire need of improvement. And with Diego Carlos set to join from Sevilla, the next step for Eddie Howe’s side is to find a new player to partner the likes of Jonjo Shelvey or Isaac Hayden.
Indeed, a second striker to cover for Callum Wilson makes sense. But for what Newcastle need this month, an extra man up front is hardly a problem area considering the lack of quality in other positions in the squad.
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