Seydou Doumbia couldn’t cut it for Newcastle but has excelled with Basel.
Newcastle United’s Seydou Doumbia in action with Chelsea’s Nemanja Matic
12 months after his Newcastle United spell came to a miserable end, Seydou Doumbia is on the verge of clinching a big move.
Doumbia was signed on loan by Steve McClaren in January 2016 as they fought to stave off relegation.
The striker signed on loan from Roma but could not make an impact, even under Rafa Benitez.
He made only three appearances, all as a substitute, and didn’t score a single goal.
Now he looks like a player transformed.
Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez speaks with Seydou Doumbia
Doumbia signed on loan with Swiss side Basel and has been outstanding.
He scored 20 goals in 15 league starts, 25 appearances in total.
Add in a Champions League goal too and 21 goals in 31 games is a highly creditable return for the 29-year-old Ivorian.
Now his efforts are set to be rewarded, with Sporting Lisbon set to pay up to sign him from Roma, O Jogo report.
Doumbia may only cost them a bargain six million Euros, but it is a crucial fresh start for a player who has been shunted around to Russia, England and Switzerland after Roma made clear he had no further part to play.
While his turnaround in form is perplexing from Newcastle’s perspective – his destination of Sporting Lisbon could have a big effect on the Toon.
Newcastle are long term admirers of Sporting striker Bas Dost, with the Chronicle reporting talks were held last summer.
He is coming off an unbelievable season in which he scored 34 goals in 31 games, and Doumbia might well turn out to be his surprise replacement.
Picture Supplied by Action Images – Bas Dost
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