Rafael Benitez masterminded in what was a thoroughly productive season in the Championship for Newcastle United last term. The Magpies, despite getting relegated from the 2015-16 season of the Premier League, rebuilt themselves from the scratch and earned an immediate promotion back to the top division of English football.
Under the tutelage of Benitez, the Toons went on to clinch the Championship silverware by leapfrogging past Brighton & Hove Albion and it was indeed quite relishing to see how the former Napoli manager discharged his duties.
He is seemingly likely to take steps towards ensuring that his troops manage to stay averse to the relegation fistfight and stand firmly against the animosity which Premier League offers.
In order to do the same, the Spaniard would have to bolster his arsenal further over the course of the summer. All teams are apparently very much indulged into the idea of bagging the right deal to uplift the quality of the squad, and the Geordies do not beg to differ. If the latest reports are to be believed, Newcastle United are planning to strike a deal with Hamburger SV for a fee which is believed to be in the region of £5m.
Holtby rose to prominence whilst his tenure with German Bundesliga outfit, Schalke 04, as a result of which Premier League heavyweight Tottenham Hotspur found him an appealing prospect. He was lured to the White Hart Lane in January 2013 when Andre Villas-Boas was at the helm, but somehow, his stay at the North London didn’t pan out in a manner in which it was anticipated to.
He was sent on loan to Fulham and Hamburger, before making a permanent switch to the latter in 2015. Last season, the 26-year-old midfielder acquired 29 appearances in German top division for Die Rothosen, whilst which he scored 1 goal and registered 6 assists to his name. Besides, he also claimed 1.1 key passes, 3 tackles, 2.3 interceptions, 1 clearance and 0.1 blocks per game on an average and no wonder why Benitez is interested in him.
By signing this German international, the black and white crops would be laying their hands on a midfielder who could play as a central midfielder, defensive midfielder or attacking midfielder. Holtby offers defensive contributions, is a shrewd tackler and has a knack to carve goal scoring opportunities for his teammates and with a move to St. James’ Park, he might be able to have another shot at proving his mettle in the Premier League.
