After reports emerged that Bas Dost is now ‘determined’ to leave Sporting Lisbon this summer, the Chronicle have revealed that Rafa actually made an attempt to sign the prolific striker last summer – only to be priced out of a move.
Barely a window goes by where we’re not linked with the big Dutchman, however his name barely popped up over the summer – despite our search for a new striker appearing to be a high priority.
That being said, it appears there WAS interest from Newcastle, with the Chronicle confirming that Rafa made a move to sign him – only to be priced out of a move due to the Lisbon’s unwillingness to sell their top scorer:
“The Magpies tried to sign Netherlands striker Dost last summer, but were unable to persuade the Portuguese side to sell.
“If they do decide they want to come back for him again, a deal ought to be easier to strike after a spectacular fall-out between the Sporting players and their president.”
With him having scored 37 goals last season and 31 so far this season in Portugal, it’s easy to see why they weren’t keen to sell him, however that situation may have changed after his fall-out with the Lisbon president.
The Bas Dost to NUFC rumour has become an amusing one, but this makes us wonder if Benitez may actually return for one of the club’s long-term target in the summer.
After all, we do need a striker capable of putting the ball in the back of the net, and the 6ft 5′ Dutchman has done that almost 70 times over the last few seasons (albeit in Portugal, but still impressive):
