New York City ace Jack Harrison would solve Newcastle’s lack of width.
Christian Atsu’s injury against Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon will have been a huge blow for Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez, not just because they would be without a player of Atsu’s quality.
Benitez will have been fearing an injury to either Atsu or Matt Ritchie since the Premier League campaign began, and then even more so after the summer transfer window slammed shut.
A huge lack of depth out on the flanks at Newcastle has now been made even more obvious following the Ghana international’s muscle problem, with only Ritchie and Jacob Murphy offering width for the Toon.
Newcastle desperately need to enter the January transfer market for a number of players, but high on Benitez’s transfer priorities will be adding a winger to his small squad.
That should see him focus his attention on New York City winger Jack Harrison, who has shone in the MLS for Patrick Vieira’s side by almost single-handedly pushing them towards the semi-finals of the MLS Cup.
The Daily Mail claims the 20-year-old is interesting Premier League trio Everton, Leicester City and Brighton, but Newcastle should blow their rivals out of the water to land the £6million-rated hotshot.
Harrison’s form for New York City – 10 goals and three assists in 34 outings from out wide – has even see him earn an England Under-21 call-up against Scotland and Andorra.
Known for his pace, bags of tricks and creativity in the final third, Harrison boasts all the qualities Newcastle currently lack, after Benitez has seen his side score just 10 goals in 11 league games.
Although unproven in the Premier League, Harrison would provide cover for Atsu and Ritchie and continue to develop his quality from the substitutes’ bench. At just £6million, he would be an investment right now and for the future.
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