Rafa Benitez has a reported shortlist of three Premier League strikers on his January transfer window wish-list, as he seeks to overcome a gruelling start to the season.
According to The Chronicle, via NUFC Blog, Watford’s Troy Deeney and Liverpool duo Divock Origi and Dominic Solanke are targets for the Magpies’ boss, as he hopes a proven top tier goal-scorer will warrant wins in the New Year.
Deeney has spent eight years with the Hornets, a spell that includes the infamous play-off semi-final winner against Leicester, a promotion to the Premier League two years later, and 313 club goals.
The 30-year-old has been knocking on Gareth Southgate’s door for an England call-up for numerous years to no avail. Injury has prevented him from playing since the 4-0 loss at home to Bournemouth in October, but he has proved to be an impact player for Watford in each Premier League campaign.
Divock Origi, has been an apparent target of Benitez’s for some time, and could be a likely mover come January, with his time limited at Anfield. The Belgian international spent last season with Wolfsburg, racking up six goals in 31 games as the side scraped through a relegation play-off to survive in the Bundesliga.
While arguably not as ‘proven’ as Deeney, the Liverpool striker certainly has time on his side to grow within a Newcastle side. That, combined with pace to burn, could make him a dangerous player under Benitez.
Meanwhile, an approach for teammate Solanke may not be out of the question. The young striker would arguably need more time to progress than the other forwards, but his loan spell with Vitesse proved that he has a few goals in his locker.
The England international’s future with the Reds is unclear as of yet, and this uncertainty could help Newcastle in making an approach for him.
Naturally, each striker brings to the fore their own strengths and weaknesses. Time will tell whether Rafa chooses one on his list or opts for a complete wildcard.
Nevertheless, United need to be focused on reversing a poor conversion rate in front of goal. Three goals in six Premier League games is troubling, especially with Muto, one of the scorers, out through injury. However, the window could be a silver lining at St James’ Park, and may become the new home to a true goal-getter in 2019.
