Newcastle United are interested in making a move to sign Stoke City’s versatile attacking midfielder Nick Powell and have lodged an enquiry with the Championship club over his potential availability, as reported by Football League World.
The Magpies are desperately in need of adding some more creative and attacking talent to their midfield options, with Newcastle struggling to create and take chances in the final third having scored just one goal in their last eight matches. Steve Bruce has been keen to add to his options in the middle of the park this month, despite not being given a transfer budget.
Powell has been one of Stoke’s most influential performers so far this campaign, being hailed as “brilliant” by his manager Michael O’Neill, and the former Manchester United man has registered seven goals and two assists in 23 Championship appearances (Sofascore). He has also been used in various positions and more recently has been deployed as a striker in the absence of the injured Tyrese Campbell, who is their joint-top scorer alongside Powell.
It is thought that the Magpies have been impressed with the 26-year-old’s performances so far this term, which has prompted them to register an enquiry to Stoke over whether he could be available in this window. However, the Potters don’t intend to cash in on Powell this month as they need him for their potential push for a place in the play-offs, according to Football League World.
Read Newcastle verdict
This is a surprising move from Newcastle considering their reported lack of transfer funds. Powell is likely to be valued highly by the Potters given the form he has shown so far this season and their lack of options in the final third since Campbell’s serious injury.
Powell offers a lot of qualities which are lacking in the Magpies’ current squad, with the 26-year-old having averaged 1.5 shots and one key pass per game so far this season (Sofascore). Both of those metrics are higher than the averages posted by Allan Saint-Maximin – indeed, Callum Wilson is the only Newcastle player with a better shots-per-game average than the Stoke maestro (WhoScored).
The attacking midfielder has struggled for consistency at times in his career but he is enjoying a splendid season. If Newcastle could sign him and get the best out of him, he should certainly improve their quality in the final third. However, it does seem unlikely that he will come to St James’ Park this month.
