According to a recent report by Bild (subscription required), Newcastle United are considering making a permanent move for Nabil Bentaleb this summer. The same source has also revealed that the Magpies will have to pay £8.6m to make the Algerian midfielder’s switch to St. James’ Park permanent which would also see him become the club’s joint-highest earner (via The Chronicle).
Bentaleb’s Eye-Catching Loan Spell At St. James’ Park
Bentaleb has enjoyed a decent loan spell at Tyneside after producing a run of solid displays since the Premier League’s return last month. He has made a total of 14 appearances for the Magpies this term but is yet to score or assist a goal so far.
The Lille-born talent deserves a lot of credit for averaging 2.0 tackles, 1.7 interceptions, 0.8 clearances, 0.7 key passes and 0.7 dribbles per game in the English top-flight this season. He has generally been quite accurate with his ball-distribution after completing 86.3% of his attempted passes in league football (stats via whoscored).
The 25-year-old has also earned 35 senior caps for the Algerian national team, netting five goals for his country in the process. Maybe sorting out his long-term future this summer could help Bentaleb find a run of consistency to play at a high level for both his club and homeland in the coming years.
What Will The Algerian Midfield Ace Offer On The Pitch?
Bentaleb is a well-rounded midfielder who has proven himself to be a useful member of Steve Bruce’s squad. He is an excellent passer of the ball and also packs a lot of power with his shots from long range. The Algerian playmaker can use his strength to outmuscle the opposition and win his fair share of aerial duels at the centre of the park. He is also an excellent penalty taker, which makes him an ideal midfield choice for the Magpies to consider in the long-run.
Is Bentaleb A Good Fit For The Magpies?
Bentaleb has all the attributes required to be a success story at St. James’ Park in the coming seasons. He will not only add some steel and variety to Bruce’s midfield but also improve the overall quality of his first-team squad. Plus, he has already built up a great understanding with Jonjo Shelvey which could pay dividends for Newcastle if they decide to sign him permanently at the end of this campaign.
At 25, Bentaleb is only going to get better with each year, so the Magpies would be wise to orchestrate a permanent move for him when the transfer window reopens later this month. He is a perfect fit for Bruce’s style of play and seems to have what it takes to be a fan-favourite at Tyneside.
