Newcastle United should focus their efforts on landing Nice forward Alassane Plea instead of Bordeaux striker Diego Rolan.
Newcastle United have been heavily linked with Bordeaux centre-forward Diego Rolan this summer, but they would be better off if they signed OGC Nice striker Alassane Plea instead.
According to the Sun, Rolan is holding out to see if Newcastle’s interest in him is genuine despite completing a medical with Championship side Fulham.
The Uruguayan international is available for £5 million but the price-tag is not proving to be the stumbling block, it is whether Magpies boss Rafa Benitez deems him good enough for the Premier League.
Rolan scored 10 goals in 33 appearances for Bordeaux last season, hardly prolific. However, at such a low price, a move for the 24-year-old would not be a huge risk.
Despite this, the question should be asked whether Rolan is any better than what Benitez already has at his disposal at St. James’ Park? The answer is a resounding no.
Benitez should focus his efforts on bringing in another forward from Ligue 1 to the club, and this should come in the shape of Plea.
The 24-year-old was enjoying his most prolific spell for Nice last season, scoring 14 goals in 32 games before his season was ended early in February by a knee injury.
The centre-forward can also operate on the right wing and the Frenchman has impressed onlookers with his eye for goal and turn of pace. Plea is a different kind of forward to Rolan but is one who is likely to do more damage in England’s top tier. He is entering the final year of his contract in the south of France.
It is likely that his asking price will be more than the £5 million being asked for Rolan but not much more, a minimal risk for a club of Newcastle’s stature.
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