Two arch rivals who constitute the famous Tyne-Wear derby are currently undergoing starkly different seasons. While Sunderland are 10 points away from the safety zone in the top flight, Newcastle United are 10 points ahead of 3rd placed Huddersfield Town in the Championship and are looking firm favourites to get promoted to the Premier League.
Rafael Benitez isn’t unfamiliar with the animosity which the top tier is known to offer and is highly likely to bolster his squad in the summer transfer window.
Mike Ashley is believed to have given his consent to Benitez to splash the adequate amount of cash to construct a formidable side and one of the priorities for the Geordies is to add armoury to their attacking arsenal.
Time and again, we have seen the Magpies suffering from the evident lack of quality strikers to cater to the poaching needs of the club. While Dwight Gayle has been prolific so far this season, Aleksander Mitrovic and Daryl Murphy haven’t really stepped up in the recurring absence of Gayle owing to his hamstring injury and there is hardly any doubt existing upon the perception that they do need quality up front.
One of the latest reports suggests that Newcastle United are plotting an audacious move to lure Sunderland’s exemplary hitman, Jermain Defoe, to St. James’ Park in the summer. Defoe has been in a fine nick for the Black Cats, having already bagged 14 goals and 2 assists in 30 appearances in the Premier League.
However, considering Sunderland’s likelihood of facing demotion, the Englishman would likely look for an exit at the end of the season.
Despite being a 34-year-old, Defoe is still one of the most valued commodities which the Premier League has on offer. Having plied his trade for heavyweights like West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur, the former Toronto player has truckloads of experience and would be an ideal addition to the Toons’ side to render vital words of wisdom to the youngsters and to lead the team from the front.
Defoe is renowned for his clinical goal-getting techniques, holds the game meticulously up front, has a brilliant eye to find killer passes in the final third and constructs the game in a shrewd manner to outclass the opponents’ defence.
He would surely like to extend his stay in the Premier League for at least a couple of seasons more and Newcastle United, under the tutelage of Benitez, should be an appealing destination for him.
Statistics Credits: WhoScored.com
