Newcastle United to swoop for Championship forward: Is he worth the fuss?

Newcastle United have an important transfer window coming up. The Magpies, under Rafa Benitez, have beaten Manchester United and Arsenal which shows the gaffer is good enough to lead the club to the heights the fans dream of. If he is backed well in the transfer window, the club could be challenging for the European places next season.

The club have reportedly identified Sunderland striker Joel Asoro as a potential signing come summer. At 18, he’ll join the youth team and continue his development. This isn’t the story you were hoping for, were you? But then again, the way the club have gone about their transfer business, never expect big-name players with someone as stingy as Mike Ashley still around.

Reports from the Sportmail state that Newcastle had dispatched scouts who were watching Asoro and his teammate Josh Maja.

Asoro – fact file

Having moved from Swedish u19 team Bromma to Sunderland in 2015, the teenager showed good progress which belied his age at the time. He was promoted to the Sunderland senior squad in the summer of 2016.

This season, he had made 23 appearances in the Championship, of which nine have been starts, and he has scored twice in the league. For a teenager, that isn’t the worst return.

The season has been a learning process for the forward. Newcastle have one of their own in the Championship who has been doing well. Aleksandar Mitrovic was loaned out to Fulham to get regular game time and get used to the more rugged style of English football which is on offer. It’s safe to say he has done well.

Players often learn a vital part lesson in the Championship, which Asoro was learning prior to the concussion he suffered while playing for the u21 Swedish side. Regardless, he has had a good season. A pretty agile player, Asoro would be a good option on the break for any championship team.

A future at Newcastle?

It’s too early to say so. Even players like Aleksandar Mitrovic struggled to make a substantial impact in the top flight. If the Benitez’s side do manage to sign him, he’ll probably go out on a few loan moves before the club can consider him as a first team prospect.