The Chronicle wrote and interesting piece on the strikers Benitez may turn to over the next few weeks and a name from last summer continues to resurface for Newcastle – Tammy Abraham.
One line that stood out was details of Chelsea’s alleged asking price, with Mark Douglas confirming that Chelsea value Abraham at ‘around £15m‘.
As we know, he’s a player Rafa very nearly signed last summer (albeit on loan), but this seems a VERY reasonable fee for a young English striker who has clear potential.
With talks over Rondon continuing to rumble on, it looks like Rafa wants two strikers in as of course, he has the budget constraints of Mike Ashley to contend with. Perhaps NUFC are trying to loan Rondon as we couldn’t loan Abraham (rules stipulate only one player is allowed on loan from the same club and we already loaned Kenedy).
A permanent deal for Abraham may make a lot of sense, especially from Ashley’s perspective, which is key. He’s clearly after sell on value and player whose price tags won’t just depreciate and Abraham ticks both those boxes. £15m isn’t cheap, but he’s one of England’s top young strikers and someone he’ll know could be worth double that price after a good season or two in the Premier League.
Given the time it’s taking to sign Rondon it’s quite clear that Ashley’s reluctant to pay £16.5m plus for a player nearing his 30’s (turns 29 in September), so maybe Abraham is an option that will appeal to Ashley financially and Benitez from a footballing perspective – we all know how keen Benitez was to secure his services last summer.
Abraham didn’t set the Premier League alight last season at Swansea but a move could be a good option for Newcastle, especially under the financial restrictions Ashley continues to enforce. What would you make of Abraham arriving this summer? Would him and Rondon be better than Gayle and Mitrovic?
Tammy tap in is not the answer. How you can describe him as, one of England’s best young strikers is beyond me. He’s not scored a goal beyond twelve yards for any club.
He misses so many chances it’s embarrassing.
Yet we have a better option already Rafa can’t wait to sell in Arma. Scores every kind of goal and nobody has scored more goals for England’s youth teams.
Ideal for Shelvey, with his killer balls and Arma’s timed runs. Never given a proper chance. Shameful.
Bobbybee(Quote)
1 goal every 6 games? I reckon he’s over priced.
Brrrian(Quote)
Desperation it sounds familiar, I agree let Armstrong have a go and bring some of the young lads through Sterry looked okay now he is getting let go? I really wonder why we have to go after some other clubs youngsters, it’s only because they have been given a chance. So why not ours?
Disgruntled(Quote)
Not a fan of Abraham and don’t honestly see what he has done. He’s no better than Gayle and he has struggled in the premiership. Would have liked to see Armstrong given a real chance in pre season.
tojo1530(Quote)
Gayle a much better all round striker. I watched Abraham a bit last season to see what all the hype was about and I found out what a overhyped **** striker with no natural talent. He could have saved Swansea with so many missed easy chances. Strikers need natural ability to instantly act on impulse he just hasn’t got it and I believe he never will have ,reminds me of Albert Luque and he was awful. So please, please no!!!! Anyway I think we are safe being that Chelsea want this thing called money for him and not sports direct vouchers and a free mug!!!!
Max(Quote)
Armstrong is weak as ****, couldn’t cut it in the championship never mind the Premier League. If he was that good someone would have bought him for the £3m were offering him for. He’s a league 1 standard player and much worse than Abraham who scored over 20 goals in the Championship.
Dan Robson(Quote)
Agree with @Dan Robson, Arma isn’t too 12 championship standard never mind Prem. He’s too lightweight and a poor imitation of Michael Owen.
I’d say a move for Abraham – 10-12mil is well worth the gamble – even if it didn’t work out you know you’ll get your money back by flogging him for the same plus some to a championship team.
If he comes good then we’re laughing. Think I’d sooner take a risk on a youngster on the up than a 29yr old with a consistently weak scoring record.
Craig Armstrong(Quote)