Newcastle United have launched an aggressive bid for Sporting Lisbon forward Bas Dost. The Magpies are coming on the back of a very eventful season and Benitez wants to ensure everything falls properly in place.
The Toon stamped their authority in the Championship last season by maintaining an excellent record throughout the season and Benitez is determined to replicate the same form in the Premier League next season.
However, he feels that the side is still far from completion and the addition of a couple of other players would add a different dimension to the team. Currently, Newcastle have a very enviable lineup of forwards with the likes of Dwight Gayle, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Daryl Murphy to name a few.
But barring Gayle, the aforementioned names haven’t performed to their potential so considering the level of competition these days, it won’t be enough for a team like Newcastle to thrive in the Premier League next season.
They have reportedly offered a staggering £35m for the Dutch forward. The lanky 28-year-old has netted 34 goals in 31 league appearances and could be the solution to Newcastle’s goal drought.
In response to Newcastle’s bid, the Portuguese club have claimed that the player has a release clause which can be triggered by submitting a bid of £52m.
Newcastle have been pretty quiet in the transfer market but the last few days have been very busy as they wrapped up the signing of Florian Lejeune from Eibar.
Dost has the perfect blend of physicality and aerial presence. The six feet five inches forward would enhance the side with his superior movement off the ball. Currently, there is a dearth of good free kick takers at St James Park and Dost’s addition would add another dimension to the side.
Dost only signed in the last summer from Wolfsburg and in his maiden season with the Portuguese club, he has drawn all the attention with his superb performances.
But a slight drawback in this big-money move might be that the player is not proven in the Premier league. But in these days of sheer competition, you have to take a gamble when it comes to hiring a top class forward.
Newcastle were interested in him earlier as well but anything substantial failed to materialise. But this time, Benitez is very keen to bring the player but it remains to be seen whether the club returns with an improved bid or not.
