Newcastle United are one of the sides interested in signing Macauley Bonne as his stunning form continues.
Bonne has scored 17 goals in 24 National League appearances this season, leaving him well on course to smash past his total from last season when he scored a hugely impressive 22 goals.
Given that potential asking price, Newcastle should arguably feel that it is worth taking the gamble on the 23-year-old if Rafa Benitez is going to have to ask for funds from owners who do not know whether they will still be at the club when the window closes.
The optimism surrounding the takeover speculation at St James’ Park has largely given way to cynicism and many of the Toon Army are now expecting Benitez to have to shop for bargains once again.
If that proves to be the case, then spending £500,000 on Bonne may not be a terrible idea. The Premier League has seen a handful of strikers arrive who have previously shone in non-league football and gone on to make an impact at the highest level. The most obvious example, of course, is title winner Jamie Vardy.
Bonne is young enough to improve significantly in the future, and clearly knows where the goal is. Under a manager of Benitez’s calibre, he could make huge strides in his game.
In an ideal world, Benitez would be given the opportunity to smash the club’s transfer record on a striker that fans could describe as the Magpies’ best since Alan Shearer.
Signing Bonne would probably be a sign that the money will not be there. But the Leyton Orient man could still prove to be a very good addition given how little he would cost and how lethal he is proving to be for his current club.
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