A number of Newcastle United supporters have been reacting to reports that the Magpies are set to rival West Ham in the pursuit of Montpellier forward Gaetan Laborde in January.
Steve Bruce’s side have struggled for goals so far this season with the exception of Callum Wilson, with Joelinton and Jacob Murphy the only other players in their squad to have scored more than one goal so far this term for the Magpies (Transfermarkt). That issue was exacerbated by Newcastle missing Wilson through a hamstring injury during their recent 2-0 defeat against Chelsea.
Dwight Gayle is nearing a return from injury for the Magpies, and it has been reported by The Athletic that Newcastle are unlikely to be willing to let him leave in January even with his £40,000-a-week contract heading into the final few months. However, Bruce’s side could need to still add some extra firepower in January to plan for next season.
It has now emerged that Newcastle are monitoring Laborde ahead of a potential move in January, with West Ham also thought to be keen and currently leading the race for his signature. The Ligue 1 side value the 26-year-old, who has scored three goals and registered five assists in 13 matches, at around £10.8m, as per L’Equipe.
Newcastle fans react to potential move for Gaetan Laborde
Many Newcastle fans have been sceptical about the prospect of making a potential move for the 26-year-old in January due to his modest goal return so far this season. One fan even compared him with Yoshinori Muto, who has scored just twice in 28 games for the club since joining the Magpies in 2018.
https://twitter.com/jjNUFC/status/1335617331393925122?s=19
3 goals? Our kind of player https://t.co/7X880rCW8Y
— Sam Welch (@Sam_Welch95) December 6, 2020
Being linked to a striker that has 3 goals in 13 apps is the most NUFC transfer you’ll ever see. https://t.co/pKCcgiOJBL
— Jack🇧🇷 (@Jack_Rogers97) December 6, 2020
Tbf, that sounds like the prolific type of player we'd be interested in #nufc https://t.co/JSowB4mhPJ
— Chris Nove (@chrisnove) December 6, 2020
https://twitter.com/BarryBlakely/status/1335532851593437185?s=19
That's our level to be fair
— Jack P (@jackparini) December 6, 2020
Wow… top strike rate then.
— James (@james1508) December 6, 2020
