During a recent piece on the areas Newcastle will be looking to strengthen this summer, the Chronicle have revealed TWO players on Rafa Benitez’s radar – Norwich winger Josh Murphy and Sampdoria star Dennis Praet.
The story suggests Benitez is keen to add some ‘extra pace’ out wide and some ‘creativity’ to his side this summer, and these two appear to tick those two boxes in one way or another.
Before we look at both players, here’s a snippet from the Chronicle’s piece confirming Rafa’s interest:
“Interestingly, Jacob’s twin brother Josh is still on Newcastle’s radar with head of recruitment Steve Nickson recently watching the 23-year-old in Norwich’s 1-1 draw at Sunderland.
“Dennis Praet of Sampdoria is a player that Benitez likes but knows Juventus are leading the way for a summer deal.”
Starting with Josh Murphy – someone who’d certainly come as an ‘interesting’ addition, with twin brother Jacob signing for us just last summer.
The Mirror credited with interest 23-year-old earlier in the season and he’s since gone on to impress despite Norwich’s below-par campaign, scoring 10 goals in all comps. That being said, I’m not sure he’d be the answer when we’re on the look out for experience and proven players at this level.
Then to Dennis Praet, the Belgian playmaker who we tried and failed to sign on the final few days of August last summer (a rejected bid of £15m was claimed).
It sounds as though he could be out of our reach now, with Juventus linked, but he’s another top young talent who Rafa clearly has a close eye on.
With ‘pace and creativity’ on Rafa’s agenda, who would you like to see us go for this summer?
Don’t even think about stealing both brothers. You got the first one for peanuts, this one goes for market price.
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