Celtic have two very clinical strikers in their attacking arsenal in the form of Moussa Dembele and Leigh Griffiths. However, considering that in the tactical nous of Brendan Rodgers only one can be stationed, the Celts showed an inclination towards Dembele last season, who has unarguably emerged as one of the hottest properties in Scottish top division.
The youngster lit up Champions League group stages as well, with 3 goals in 6 outings and spearheaded the Bhoys.
On the other hand, Griffiths was sporadically used, but despite that, he proved to be a valuable asset for Rodgers last campaign. The 26-year-old mustered 23 appearances for the Hoops last season (8 of which were as a substitute) and in those, he plundered 13 goals in the side’s domestic treble-winning campaign.
He undoubtedly is better than being a deputy to Dembele and this is where his admirers come into the equation after considering his situation at the Celtic Park.
Newcastle United are well aware of the quality which Griffiths possesses, and are believed to be interested in luring him to St. James’ Park in the summer Apart from the Magpies, West Bromwich Albion who are also keeping a close tab on the striker.
The ageing Daryl Murphy and often erratic Aleksandar Mitrovic failed to impose any sort of a substantial challenge to Dwight Gayle for the place in the starting line-up in Rafael Benitez’s system, and no wonder why the former Napoli boss is looking for a quality striker who could enhance the potency of their attack.
The Black and Whites got themselves promoted to the Premier League under the tutelage of Benitez and it goes without saying that he would be keen to make shrewd deals to face the animosity of the English top division next term.
Griffiths is someone who has scored goals on a consistent basis everywhere he has plied his trade in, be it Livingston, Dundee, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Hibernian or Celtic and would be an astute replacement for Murphy if the Geordies decide to strike him off their books.
The Scottish international has commendable experience at the club level and his recent endeavours against England made his stocks rise massively. He is clinical, works really hard, toils relentlessly up front to close out defenders and make something out of nothing for his side and is excellent with set-pieces.
For £6million or so, the Toon can really tempt Rodgers to sell one of his main assets and if the deal materialises, they can really up the ante as they look forward to playing against the elite clubs of the country once again.
Statistics Credits: Whoscored
