Newcastle United were reportedly keen on Tammy Abraham last summer.
Newcastle United are still fighting for their Premier League status, and Dwight Gayle’s two goals against Bournemouth were a welcome boost given that January signing Islam Slimani has yet to start a game due to injury.
The Magpies haven’t had much luck in the transfer market when it comes to signing strikers, and one player who slipped through Newcastle’s grasp last summer was Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham.
As reported by The Mirror, Newcastle attempted to take Abraham on loan for the season, but lost out in the race to Swansea City amid claims that Chelsea dissuaded the youngster from signing for the Magpies.
That initially seemed like it would come back to haunt Newcastle, as Abraham hit four goals in his first eight Premier League games for Swansea, but the goals have dried up.
Abraham hasn’t scored a Premier League goal since the 14th of October, and his poor form for Swansea means that his Chelsea future is somewhat up in the air, especially given the strikers already at Stamford Bridge.
Alvaro Morata and Olivier Giroud are already competing for one spot, and Michy Batshuayi’s impending return from his Borussia Dortmund loan spell means that Abraham would be fourth choice at best – and his lack of opportunities could present Newcastle with another chance to land him.
The 6ft 3in striker does have real potential, but needs to be moulded into the striker he can be, given that he possesses pace, strength and aerial ability, as well as the poaching ability he showed with Bristol City, but his link-up play and technical ability still needs improvement.
Despite his struggles with Swansea this season, Abraham’s potential means that Newcastle should still explore a potential move this summer, either on loan or permanently, giving Benitez a chance to finally land the striker he desperately wanted before the start of the season.
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