According to a recent report by The Sun, Newcastle United are set to battle it out with Leicester City in pursuit of Brentford wing wizard Said Benrahma. The same source has also stated that the two Premier League clubs are willing to cough up £15m for the Algerian winger at the end of this campaign.
Said Benrahma’s Brilliant Spell At Griffin Park
The Algerian prospect has performed well to help the Bees climb up to the fifth position in the English Championship standings. He has featured in 26 matches for Thomas Frank’s side this term, scoring eight goals while providing six assists in all competitions. He has averaged 0.8 tackles, 3.7 shots, 2.3 key passes and 3.2 dribbles per game in the English second division (stats via whoscored).
Newcastle boss Steve Bruce has made a career out of finding hidden gems from the Championship and nurturing them into top Premier League regulars in the past. The 59-year-old had previously managed players like Darren Bent, Robert Snodgrass, Lee Cattermole and Stephane Sessegnon that have all flourished under his guidance in the English top-flight. Hence, Benrahma could be another gem in the making if Bruce can lure him to St. James’ Park this summer.
The Bees wide player has also secured three international caps for the Algerian national team but is still waiting to score his first goal for his country.
What Will The Algerian Add To Bruce’s Team?
Benrahma is a quick and agile winger who can complete some dangerous dribbles in the opposition half. He can whip in some dangerous crosses from the left flank and can also interchange passes well with others around him. However, the 24-year-old has still not proven his worth at the highest level, so a switch to Newcastle might be too lucrative for him to turn down next summer.
Will Benrahma Be A Decent Option For The Tyneside Giants?
Recruiting a natural winger like Benrahma could add another dimension to Bruce’s attack at Tyneside. He will not only add more goals and assist to the Magpies first-team but can also increase competition for the likes of Miguel Almiron, Matt Ritchie, Christian Atsu and Allan Saint-Maximin at St. James’ Park.
Furthermore, he has the potential to become a world-class player in his position under a terrific manager like Bruce, who is renowned for his man-management skills. Hence, Benrahma will be an excellent option for the Magpies if they can fend off interest from Leicester by signing the Algerian playmaker ahead of the new campaign.
