Newcastle United are one of the many clubs, struggling to find any consistency in the top flight this season. While Rafa Benitez has managed to keep the team out of the drop zone, he is convinced that his side needs some fresh faces, to try and ensure their survival this season.
This has seen the club linked with a number of exciting stars, for a move this January and one player, they are now targeting is Atletico Madrid star Kevin Gameiro.
Newcastle United Given Green Light:
According to reports, Newcastle United are desperate to sign a striker this month and owner Mike Ashley has now given the manager the green light, to sign Gameiro before the deadline day. La Liga outfit Atletico Madrid are open to selling him for the right price and rate him at around £16m.
It is understood that the English club has made decent progress in bringing Gameiro to England but is he the right man for Rafa?
Stats And Style Of Play:
A product of the Strasbourg academy, Gameiro made a name for himself in the French top flight with Lorient, where he spent over three years, making 108 league appearances for the side, before moving to PSG in 2011. He failed to settle in at the French capital and was shipped off to Sevilla just two years later.
At the Sanchez Pizjuan, he found some blistering form, scoring 39 goals in 92 La Liga games, which earned him a move to the Spanish capital. He did manage 12 goals and five assists in 21 league starts at the Metropolitano but has fallen down the pecking order this season, making just seven La Liga starts.
A striker adept at dropping deep and creating chances for his side, Gameiro is a devastating finisher, who is lethal when afforded any space in the final third. He is a confident player, ready to take on the responsibility and more often than not, comes up with the goods. He has four goals and an assist in 13 domestic appearances and is a player who is always productive in front of goal.
He is not too strong in the air but is smart with his positioning and hold up play, which makes him a dangerous player. His vision and understanding of the game allow him to dominate the opponents and is a player who will adapt well to the conditions in England.
Is He The Right Man?
It is evident that the Magpies need a striker who can find the back of the net regularly. The likes of Joselu, Dwight Gayle and Ayoze Perez have not done enough to repay the faith of the manager, who is now in the market for a striker.
The likes of Andre Schurrle and Sandro Ramirez are other options for Newcastle but at 30, Gameiro’s experience makes him a slightly better option. The 13-cap French international has established himself at the highest level and is a good fit for Rafa’s style of play at Newcastle United.
Schurrle’s previous experience in England might make him slightly more effective but Gameiro is definitely a risk worth taking for the Toon.
