Newcastle United are still on the search for the right man to replace Rafa Benitez at the helm of the club but that has not stopped them from scouting for players who can improve the side next season.
The Magpies have been linked with a number of exciting names recently and Brazilian centre-forward Joelinton is another player they are interested in, suggest reports from German media outlet Kicker (via Chroniclelive)
Also wanted by Wolves in the Premier League, Joelinton is expected to cost around £40m this summer. Newcastle have had scouts watch the 22-year old for a while now but Rafa Benitez’s exit has slowed down this deal.
Joelinton And His Quality
Joelinton moved to Europe for the first time with Hoffenheim back in 2015 but spent a couple of seasons on loan at Rapid Wien, scoring 15 goals in 60 league games. He returned to Rhein-Neckar-Arena at the start of the last season and was a regular for Julian Nagelsmann’s side, registering 10 goals in 26 starts in all competitions.
In a 3-5-2 system, the 22-year-old played a supporting striker’s role, showing great strength and technique in the final third. His dribbling and passing have improved in the last few years, helping him register five assists in the Bundesliga last season.
He is a decent finisher but is more adept at finding key passes in and around the box. He can play as a lone striker but is effective when supported by wingers and midfielders.
But what makes him an attractive option this summer is his willingness to chase lost causes and his ability to win the ball back high up the field. At 22, he will only improve as a player and will be a decent addition to most sides in the Premier League.
Should Newcastle Meet His Valuation?
The Tyneside outfit have already lost Ayoze Perez to Leicester City this summer. They are also yet to finalize a deal for Venezuelan forward Salomon Rondon, who was their most effective forward last season.
They are now without a manager, and two of their best players from the previous season, making this summer transfer window their most important one in recent times.
The likes of Yoshinori Muto and Joselu are the only strikers at the club now, and it would be a huge risk to spend big on an inexperienced player in Joelinton.
The Brazilian may be regarded as one of the brightest prospects in Germany at the moment, but what Newcastle United need is a player who can walk in and make an immediate impact, while helping the squad rebuild next season.
At the moment, the Hoffenheim star does not fit the bill and might not be the best way to invest their funds for the Magpies this summer.