Newcastle United are being linked to German striker Niclas Fullkrug who currently plies his trade for Hannover. He has been prolific for them this term as he has managed 15 goals and 3 assists in 35 appearances and has been key to his team’s results this season.
Rafael Benitez team will be in need of some attacking reinforcement in the summer as they have struggled in front of goal this season. They are currently sitting in the top half of the table but that has largely been down to their solid defensive performances. Their highest goal scorer, Ayoze Perez has managed just 6 goals in the season and it is the lowest number of goals for any team’s highest scorer in the English top flight.
A lot was expected out of Dwight Gayle as he was prolific in the season before in the Championship but he has struggled to find his feet at the top level. Benitez has also not found enough support financially from his owners and even in today’s day and age, Newcastle’s all-time transfer record of £16.8m which was achieved in 2005 when they signed Michael Owen, stands. Because of such constraints, there have been reports of the Spanish tactician leaving the club. However, if he stays, he can certainly look at this talented German striker to solve some of his attacking woes. According to reports, he can come in for the price of £5m.
Along with the Magpies, there are a host of other clubs as well who are vying for his signature. His current contract will keep with the German forward with Hannover until 2020 but because of the financial strength of English clubs, a good offer will certainly be tough to refuse for the German outfit.
Benitez managed to find some success in the latter half of the season when he partnered his two strikers up front and the duo of Dwight Gayle and Ayoze Perez started offering more when they worked in tandem. Fullkrug is a versatile forward and can play down the right or left wing as well and he has the ability to combine with a partner upfront.
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However, the major problem would be whether Fullkrug will be able to adapt to the dynamics of English league as it is much faster and more physical than other leagues of the world. Nevertheless, the German league is considered to be the closest in terms of similarity with the English football and the German striker has shown this season that he certainly has all the abilities to take the league by storm and improve Benitez’s attacking options.
