According to Football Insider, Newcastle United have been showing interest in former Sunderland striker Mikael Mandron.
Their ‘exclusive’ also claims that Steve Bruce travelled to watch the 6ft 3′ Frenchman in Crewe’s 2-0 win over Peterborough on Saturday – where he’s believed to have put in a ‘vintage target man performance’, according to the report.
I am really struggling with this latest transfer link, however, with there being several reasons why it doesn’t really add up.
He may have bagged six goals in 13 appearances in all comps so far this season, but his record in recent years suggests he’s barely good enough for the third tier – never mind the top flight!
Before this season, he’s managed just SEVEN goals in his last 63 league appearances – and 41 of those games came in League Two with Colchester.
Perhaps Mandron really is showing signs of serious improvement following his strong start to 2020/21, but he’s now 26 and no longer a youngster – making any talk of a move to the Premier League all the more bizarre.
His form as a U-23 at Sunderland was impressive, seeing him be involved in 32 goals in 61 appearances, however he’s done absolutely nothing since his release in 2016 to suggest Steve Bruce was watching him when spotted in the stands at Crewe.
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