Jermaine Jenas suggests that Newcastle United should have moved for Olivier Giroud or Charlie Austin, while John Carver mentions Jay Rodriguez.
Giroud has been on the books of Arsenal since 2012 and is one of the better strikers in the Premier League.
The 30-year-old France international lost his place in the Gunners’ starting lineup last season, and with the arrival of Alexandre Lacazette from Lyon in the summer transfer window, the former Montpellier star is going to get even fewer chances this season.
Austin joined Southampton from Queens Park Rangers in January 2016, but the 28-year-old forward has struggled with injuries at St. Mary’s Stadium.
When fully fit, the Englishman is brilliant – he has scored one goal in two substitute appearances already for Southampton in the Premier League this season.
Former Newcastle midfielder Jenas believes that the Magpies should have tried to sign Giroud from Arsenal or Austin from Southampton in the summer transfer window.
Meanwhile, former Newcastle head coach John Carver has suggested that Rafael Benitez’s side should have gone for 28-year-old forward Jay Rodriguez before he moved from Southampton to West Bromwich Albion earlier this summer for a transfer fee reported by BBC Sport to be worth £12 million.
Jenas suggested on The Friday Football Social show on BBC Radio 5live last Friday evening (7pm, August 18, 2017): “I can’t believe they didn’t go after someone, I don’t know, Giroud, Charlie Austin, you know, a big name.”
Carver said: “You look at Rodriguez who went to West Brom. Roundabout £15m, was it? Ideal replacement.”
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