It is that time of year again, where the rumours leading up to the transfer window are rife. It is no different at Newcastle, after all it wouldn’t be a transfer window unless Ashley was trying to sell the club, and we are linked with either former players or players that have turned us down in the past.
Wednesday morning was no different, as rumours were circulating that we again were looking at bringing in Chelsea forward Tammy Abraham. According to reports the 21-year-old English striker is again on Newcastle’s radar, in what is being touted as a £10 million purchase.
The young striker was subject of a loan bid from the Toon last season, but instead choose to go to later relegated Swansea. According to who you believe, the deal fell down for many reasons. Ashley wouldn’t sanction a loan offer in time, causing the Chelsea striker to choose the Welsh side, or the fact as the player himself was quoted, he didn’t think he could hack life in Newcastle, with too many temptations!!
Regardless who you believe, the young striker didn’t exactly set the Premiership alight while on loan. Scoring only 5 times for the Swans in 31 appearances. The player has shown in performances at least to be more suited to the Championship, scoring 23 goals in 41 appearances for Bristol City during the 2016/17 season, and has impressed this season on-loan at Aston Villa, with his tally already being an impressive 12 goals in 16 games for the Midlands side.
Granted there is one defining factor that has been missing during Abraham’s career, and that is Rafa Benitez. A coach who continually manages to get the best out of players! Just look at current number 9 Solomon Rondon, who already has a better goal to game ration than he did at previous club West Brom.
However is £10 million too much of a risk to take on a player who, although young, hasn’t really shown that finishing touch at the top level. A time when Newcastle need a goal scorer to complement the big Venezuelan. Or is it the fact he is young and English, that could be seen as cheap. Could Rafa get the best out of the player, getting him to show the promise he has shown in the Championship.
This could be a good deal for Chelsea, as with the new loan rulings coming in from Fifa and UEFA, the London club will have to reduce their squad size drastically, as they have more players on loan than named in the first team squad.
Only time will tell whether there is any truth to the rumour, and whether there is indeed a clause in his deal with Villa that his parent club can recall him. But personally until he is standing next to Rafa holding the famous Black and White, I would only take this with a pinch of salt.