Paul Merson has warned Newcastle United from signing Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku stating that he is ‘not sure’ about that possible transfer.
But the Arsenal legend backed the idea of Eddie Howe’s side signing either the likes of Chelsea duo Hakim Zieych and Christian Pulisic, Leicester City playmaker James Maddison or France World Cup finalist, Marcus Thuram.
Ever since the Saudi-led takeover at St James’ Park, things have been heading towards one direction and one direction only for the club.
Whilst many fans were expecting things to change, not many would have thought that they would be on such a roll where they are sitting second in the Premier League table.
The January transfer window of 2022 and the summer transfer window has played a part in that, including the likes of Kieran Trippier, Nick Pope and Bruno Guimaraes all elevating the squad.
But now for the next step, presenter Jeff Stelling read out a few names the Magpies could sign, with Merson only brushing off one of those options, as he told Soccer Special on Sky Sports.
“They have been linked with everybody in the transfer window,” said Stelling. “A little cross-section. Romelu Lukaku, Hakim Ziyech, Christian Pulisic, James Maddison and Marcus Thuram. If they do strengthen, where do you think is their priority?”
Merson responded: “I would probably go their frontline, with the players they are looking at there, the players going forward. Saint-Maximin is back, but I think they are reliant on Wilson. He is their only goalscorer.
“Every player you mentioned there, I am not sure about the Lukaku one. All the other ones are great signings for them. I say that because they wouldn’t rock the boat where they come in and all of the other players are like ‘wait there a minute, we are here and you have brought in a superstar and he is on this and that’.
“I think they all tick the box. I think they all would all be brilliant, brilliant signings for Newcastle and it would send out the right message.”
ATTACKING OPTIONS OR DEFENSIVE OPTIONS
On one hand, Newcastle are in such a powerful situation that they can lure the so-called bigger names to the club and explain how they are vying to finish in the Champions League places this season.
But, on the other, it’s pretty difficult adding to an XI that has won their last six Premier League games and is currently sitting second in the table.
At the end of the day, they should do what they have been doing for the last two transfer windows and that’s buying with the long-term future in mind and not trying to pay overboard for a player.
If their targets tick those boxes, then there is no reason why they won’t do as well as every single player that has been signed by PIF so far.
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