After a comfortable victory over rivals Southampton, Newcastle United have managed to jump up to the 13th place in the points table but Rafa Benitez will not be too happy, given the inconsistencies in his side this season.
The manager is expected to be a busy man in the summer transfer window as the Magpies are expected to spend big to compete with the best next season. They are interested in some exciting names at the moment and one name that is extensively linked with a move to the club is Tolgay Arslan.
A product of the Borussia Dortmund academy, the former German U21 international, moved to Besiktas from Hamburg back in 2015 and has cemented a place in the first team, turning into an important part of the squad under Senol Gunes in Turkey.
He has two assists in 14 Super Lig starts this season and is attracting interests from around Europe for a move in the summer. Also wanted by the likes of Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund, the 27-year old was a transfer target for them in January and reports now claim that they are expected to make a move yet again, at the end of the season.
According to Talksport, Rafa Benitez is convinced that Arslan is the right man for his side and is ready to make a bid for him at the end of the season. So is he the right man for Newcastle United?
Having impressed for the Turkish outfit in the Champions League this season, helping his side to the knockout stages, the Paderborn born midfielder was one of the best players for the side this season in the competition.
A defensive midfielder who adds tenacity to the midfield, Arslan loves to have the ball at his feet and is usually productive with it. He can play a no.6 role, where he can sit back and soak up the pressure to frustrate the opponents. He is aggressive in his approach in the midfield and is usually good at breaking up play, in front of the backline.
He can create chances in the final third but is adept at through balls that can give his side an edge in crunch games. He is an upgrade on at least a couple of names in the first team under Rafa and is a good fit for Newcastle United.
While Jonjo Shelvey, Mohamed Diame and Mikel Merino have done well in that role, Arslan adds a different dimension and will be a huge coup for Newcastle United. But is he the right man for the club?
