Should Newcastle United move for the talented Mexican hitman?
According to French outlet Sport 1, Lyon have tabled an £11 million offer for Bayer Leverkusen hitman Javier Hernandez.
But should Newcastle United hijack the prospective move?
Newcastle are preparing for life back in the Premier League after winning the Championship last season, but it is a big step up in class and manager Rafael Benitez, nor the fans, won’t be content to simply survive relegation.
The Magpies will be hoping to enjoy a fine season back in the top flight. To do that, Benitez could and should be looking to bolster his attacking options.
Of course, Dwight Gayle has earned the number nine shirt, having hit 23 goals in 26 starts last term, but the 27-year-old only has 13 career Premier League goals under his belt and the Spanish manager would be mad not to sign a quality alternative.
Hernandez, who turned 29 today, netted 59 times in 159 appearances during a five-year Manchester United career which yielded two Premier League titles.
He does not boast an outstanding record in England’s top flight, but the Mexico international – who became his country’s leading goalscorer of all time this week – remains a very capable marksman who could help Newcastle enjoy a very respectable return to the big time.
Benitez elected against bringing Hernandez to Real Madrid on a permanent basis upon taking the reins at the Bernabeu in 2015, before the striker joined Leverkusen later that summer, but it is an easier decision to make when a marksman of Karim Benzema’s calibre is already at the club.
Newcastle don’t have such luxuries and the Champions League-winning manager may be willing to work with Hernandez now.
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