The 2016/17 season is finally approaching its business end and one such club, which is expected to return to the top flight of English Football, is Newcastle United. The Magpies’ boss, Rafael Benitez has in all likelihood started shortlisting players and one of them could be the Brazilian midfielder, Gabriel Pires.
Pires is plying his trade for relegation-threatened La Liga side CD Leganes. The Magpies made an approach for him before the start of the season, only to be rejected by Leganes, but was heavily linked again in the January transfer window as Benitez wanted to strengthen his midfield options.
The player, himself has not ruled out the possibility of a move next summer before adding that he will decide his move once the season is over. It will be easier for Benitez to convince Pires to join him before the start of next season if Leganes is relegated.
Having played 22 matches this season so far, Pires has found the net on 2 occasions but the goal against FC Barcelona this season has done his transfer value a world of good. While he has played as an attacking midfielder and centre forward for 80 percent of the games so far, there seems to be a weakness in his passing with only 64.3% success rate this season. He has both aggressive and defensive qualities and always tracks back his opposite number to help his defence.
Newcastle United is likely to return to the Premier League next season and Benitez would like to have depth in his squad, given the intensity of the games in the top flight. As we have seen, English football is more about direct football and Pires might find difficulties adapting to the style of play because of his tendency to dribble too often.
However, with his height (1.86m), he will be adding defensive qualities to the midfield, as the Magpies will be coming up against the likes of many top quality attackers next summer (working under the assumption that Newcastle United will most likely be promoted to the Premier League).
He has the ability to shoot from outside the box and take quality set-pieces, which is likely to inspire Rafa Benitez to have a second go for the player in the summer. The physical demands of the Premier League are huge and only time will tell us if the 24-year-old Brazilian can achieve success in England if he signs a deal with Newcastle United.
Statistics Credit: Whoscored
