Newcastle United are having a mixed season in the Premier League. They are currently placed at the 10th position in the league table with 38 points under their belt and will definitely look to better it with only six more games left this term.
Manager Rafa Benitez has found it tough to get results with the limited resources he has had at his disposal with the owner, Mike Ashley, not being able to back his transfer demands up with a constant flow of cash during the summer and winter windows. The Spaniard has been quite disappointed with the conundrum but is still hopeful of bringing in some good players into the side in the next transfer market with a number of English as well as European stars on his wishlist.
One of them, Oguzhan Ozyakup, the Turkish midfield ace who has made a name for himself with the Super Lig club giants Besiktas, is a name that Benitez might have to strike off his target list. The 25-year-old has been in a sensational form both on the European as well as domestic stages and has attracted the eyes of a number of clubs from all over Europe including that of the Magpies.
However, the Spaniard might have to turn his attention somewhere else as Ozyakup is set to commit his future at the club by putting down his signature on a new deal with Besiktas. The former Arsenal player has been one of the most influential figures in the Turkish outfit’s lineup and was instrumental in their success in the last term when they lifted the Super Lig trophy for the 15th time in their history.
With the possibility of signing Ozyakup looking pretty bleak at the moment, here are a few names that the ex-Liverpool and Real Madrid gaffer can ponder upon to add to his squad in the near future.
Tom Cairney
The Fulham captain has dazzled the Championship with his swift footwork in the last few seasons and has been a long-term target for the Tyneside club. If Benitez can land him, it will definitely help him to solve the problem he has been having in the midfield and strengthen his side to the core.
Morgan Schneiderlin
The former Manchester United midfielder has been reduced to nothing but a shadow of what he was at Southampton and might be offloaded by his current club Everton in the summer. Benitez can take this opportunity to bring in the player and help him find his lost form once again, thus using the Frenchman’s experience and passing prowess to good effect and strengthen his midfield.
Jack Wilshere
The Arsenal midfield ace has been under pressure recently with his contract situation at the North London outfit and this might be a perfect opportunity for the Magpies to pursue his signature. Though he might come at a cost, a player of Wilshere’s capability marshalling the midfield is a dream for any manager and Benitez is not a stranger to that.
