Former Premier League defender Danny Mills feels that Newcastle United should prioritise signing a striker following the club’s proposed takeover.
The Premier League’s Owners’ and Directors’ Test is the only aspect of the Saudi-led consortium PIF, back by Amanda Staveley and the Reuben brothers, securing the purchase of the Tyneside club from retail tycoon Mike Ashley.
The Times reported earlier this week that a £300m offer had been secured as we now await official confirmation that the Sports Direct owner will leave the club after 13 years at the helm.
With reports suggesting that former Magpie Rafa Benitez could make a dramatic return to the club, this leaves the future of Steve Bruce up in the air as the new owners are targeting a “world-beater” manager ahead of the 2020/21 campaign.
Speaking to Football Insider, Mills suggested the club needs two goalscorers after the troubles that new signing Joelinton has had since his £40m move from the Bundesliga outfit Hoffenheim in the summer.
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“A striker has to be the priority,” he said. “A couple of goalscorers is what they need.
“Joelinton simply has not done it. Almiron works hard but has not done it and if you want to climb higher up the table you have to score goals. Newcastle do not have a goal threat.
“Once the takeover is complete and people realise that they have got lots of cash then every man and his dog is going to be mentioned.
He went on to say that every agent will be calling them wanting to get involved with the Saudis and added that we need to get the right people in and around the club to make that happen.
Mills is absolutely right. Firepower in the attacking department is something that we have seriously lacked through the current campaign.
With just one goal from 27 Premier League starts and an average of just 1.4 shots per games, Joelinton lacks the clinical edge that we need to be able to move up the league standings in future seasons.
Whether we will invest in strikers, remains to be seen. However, it does need to be brought to the top of the list having scored just 25 league goals all season.