Newcastle United face yet another stumbling block in their pursuit of Dutch striker Bas Dost as Wolfsburg’s technical director Klaus Allofs slaps a sizeable price-tag on the Dutchman.
According to Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad, Klaus Allofs has told suitors to consider Roberto Firmino’s price tag when preparing bids for Bas Dost. Firmino signed for Liverpool last week for a reported £21.3million, which could rise to £29million with add ons.
“I read lump sum payments from €10-12million for Bas, but then I refer to Roberto Firmino as an example and say they will have to get used to other amounts as a club Dost really want to buy,” said Klaus Allofs.
He added: “We have spent the last week for the first time speaking with his agent and it has turned out that Bas does not want to leave. He feels very well in Wolfsburg.”
Your initial instinct might be that Allofs is slightly deluded but, based on last seasons statistics, he might have a point.
Dost scored 16 times last season in 21 appearances [a total of 1528 minutes played], while Firmino only netted 7 in 33 appearances [a total of 2909 minutes played]. The Dutchman also boasts a far greater shot accuracy – 69% compared to Firmino’s 45%.
It must be considered that they are completely different types of players with the Brazilian playing a deeper role for the large majority of his appearances last season, but to disregard Allofs’ claims would be irrational.
Newcastle will almost certainly refuse to match Allofs’ “asking price” but sometimes bold statements like these are made in a desperate attempt to fend off interest in a highly-coveted player.
