Rafa Benitez is eyeing a move for on-loan Basel striker Dimitri Oberlin in a bid to bolster his attacking options at NUFC according to The Sun today.
The 20-year-old striker is on loan at Basel this season, however it’s been claimed that he could move elsewhere from parent club Red Bull Salzburg in January – with The Sun stating Benitez is in ‘pole position’ to bring him to Tyneside.
The Cameroonian attacker has 4 goals in six Champions League appearances for Basel this season and possesses frightening pace, but this one looks so unlikely to me on several levels.
Here’s why:
- Aside from his impressive form in the Champions League, he only has 3 goals in 14 appearances in the Swiss League this season.
- He’s just 20. Merino and Lascelles have proven that age doesn’t tend to matter, but we’re in dire need of experience and proven players. Despite his promise, he is neither.
- He’s currently on-loan at Basel. Whilst loan deals can be cut short if better options arise for him and/or his parent club, it’s not usually how things work.
- The story claims he’s valued at £20m. If NUFC had that money to throw around next month (which seems unlikely) we’d sooner be looking at someone like Cenk Tosun than an unproven 20-year-old?
- It’s The Sun..
You get the picture. He’s looked a talent when I’ve caught glimpses of the Champions League this season but I can’t see this one happening for a second.
Just incase this one has a tinge of truth to it, here’s him in action: