According to reports in The Telegraph, Newcastle United are reportedly battling with fellow newly-promoted Premier League side Brighton and Hove Albion for the loan signing of highly-rated Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham this summer.
Magpies manager Rafa Benitez is desperate to strengthen his squad following their immediate return to the top flight as he wants to avoid being in a relegation battle next season.
However, despite the fact that he has been given a significant budget by owner Mike Ashley he is keen to bring the 19-year-old Blues attacker to St James’ Park on a temporary deal.
Abraham had been tipped to be given an opportunity by Antonio Conte in pre-season following an outstanding campaign with Bristol City, but instead it appears he will be handed a new long-term contract before gaining experience at another Premier League side.
The England Under-21 international – who is valued at just £4.25million at Transfermarkt – has certainly shown that he has the qualities to make an impact in the top flight, but first the Magpies have to see off the competition from the Seagulls.
Here are three reasons Newcastle must win the race to sign Abraham…
They need a new striker
Even though they have Dwight Gayle in their ranks and he enjoyed a brilliant season in the Championship after scoring 22 goals in 30 league games, Rafa Benitez will know that he needs to add more firepower to his squad this summer if they are to compete in the Premier League.
With the futures of Aleksandar Mitrovic and Daryl Murphy far from certain, bringing in a new striker is a priority and Abraham certainly has all of the attributes to make a real impact at St James’ Park next term.
Goals
Rafa Benitez is a highly experienced manager who knows that having a goalscorer who can regularly put the ball in the back of the net can be the difference between being in a relegation battle or mid-table.
Having netted an incredible 26 goals in 48 appearances while on loan at Bristol City – who spent the majority of the campaign towards the wrong end of the Championship table – this season, the prolific 19-year-old has certainly shown he has the potential to be a real threat in the Premier League too.
Able to score all types of goals, it would be a no-brainer for Newcastle to bring him to St James’ Park on a season-long loan deal.
He has a point to prove
Abraham will want to prove to Chelsea that he can have a long-term future at Stamford Bridge and having already shown Antonio Conte that he can be prolific in the Championship, he will be determined to do the same if he secures a loan move to a Premier League side.
That is something that would only benefit Newcastle if they win the race to sign the highly-rated 19-year-old.
Benitez will remember the impact former Blues striker Romelu Lukaku made at similar age to Abraham during a season-long loan spell with Everton, when he scored 15 Premier League goals before sealing a permanent move to Goodison Park, and the Spaniard would hope that Abraham could replicate that form.
Do you agree, Magpies fans? Let us know below.
