If Newcastle have £100m to spend then the Chelsea and Manchester City strikers should more than tempt them.
Chelsea’s Michy Batshuayi celebrates scoring their first goal
Upon promotion back to the Premier League the Mirror reported that Rafael Benitez had asked for £100m to improve his Newcastle United squad ahead of the new season.
If this is true then there is one area where the Magpies manager needs to commit to spending big if necessary and that is upfront.
Aleksandar Mitrovic struggled last time Newcastle were in the top flight and four goals in 25 league appearances this term does little to suggest much will have changed.
Daryl Murphy has fared little better with six in 22 in all competitions, while Ayoze Perez looks more comfortable in a supporting role rather than as an out and out goalscorer.
Dwight Gayle was admittedly the division’s top-scorer with 23 strikes, but previous top flight experience with Crystal Palace points to the fact it will be difficult to solely rely on the 26-year-old for goals at that level.
Manchester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho scores their second goal
That is why links from the Mirror for Chelsea’s Michy Batshuayi and from the Chronicle for Kelechi Iheanacho of Manchester City should excite Newcastle fans.
The duo, aged 23 and 20 respectively, will not be cheap to acquire but when top quality young strikers become available – mainly due to a lack of game time currently at Champions League clubs – then teams like the Magpies should not waste the opportunity.
It could be the difference between an average season and a great one.
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