Talk Of The Tyne Blogs

Newcastle Could Do A Lot Worse Than Taking A Chance On £33m Flop

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L’Equipe are reporting that Borussia Monchengladbach have won the race to sign Nice striker Alassane Plea. The French publication reported yesterday that a €25m (£22m) move to the German club could be finalised in the next “48 hours.”

We reportedly had a £20m offer of our own rejected for the French forward, but it seems likely now that we will miss out on the player. The main alternative has been touted as being West Bromwich Albion’s Salomon Rondon, but I thought that I would put another name into the mix as well.

Calciomercato report that AC Milan striker Andre Silva is available on loan this summer. In a press conference yesterday, Rossoneri boss Gennaro Gattuso again hinted that the Portuguese striker has not done enough to impress him suggesting a move away from the San Siro could be a possibility.

The 22-year-old only signed for the Serie A side last season for €38m (£33m) but he struggled in front of goal, with just ten goals in all competitions, and just two in the league. It’s a stark contrast to his form at international level where he managed nine goals in ten World Cup qualifiers.

There would be question marks over his ability to lead the line if he were to make a loan switch to the Premier League, but it could be worth a gamble. If a loan deal is possible, there would likely be plenty of other suitors, but few could offer guaranteed first team football and the opportunity of playing in front 52,000 adoring fans.

Goals were in short supply last season, and we need to find a solution if Plea is now no longer an option. Rondon would prove a useful target man but he is hardly a goal machine. A poacher like Silva could be a much better option. It’s a long shot, but we need to be ambitious if we are to improve next season.

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