Two interesting developments that could well alert Newcastle United ahead of the January transfer window, with reports claiming that Chelsea and Liverpool will allow strikers Michy Batshuayi and Danny Ings respectively to head out on loan this winter – being two players Rafa Benitez is believed to have made enquiries for over the summer.
According to the Telegraph, Antonio Conte is looking to replace Michy Batshuayi in January – and Benitez is said to be a ‘keen admirer’.
The Belgian striker doesn’t appear to have impressed the Chelsea boss in Morata’s absence this season and the report states that Conte is looking for a replacement having missed out on Fernando Llorente in the summer.
Should that replacement arrive, it looks like Batshuayi will be heading out on loan – meaning there’s every chance we will renew our interest.
Then to Danny Ings. It was recently revealed in an interview with the injury-riddled striker that he turned down a loan move to Newcastle over the summer in a bid to prove his fitness to Liverpool and break back into Jurgen Klopp’s side.
The Sun believe he will now be made available for loan in January in a bid to gain some valuable first team football once again, with ourselves, Southampton, Watford and Crystal Palace all said to be in the mix.
The report claims Ings is now open to a move away in a bid to boost his chances of gaining a call-up to Gareth Southgate’s England squad ahed of next summer’s World Cup.
Two players I could see Rafa looking at over the summer, with our striking options looking pretty limited at present.
Batshuayi would be the preferred option for me, however Ings looks far more realistic.
