5 Players Rafa Could Look to Buy in January
The January transfer window is fast approaching and like all clubs, Newcastle may look to spend money and boost their chances of promotion. Here’s five players that we think Rafa should sign:
Stanislas may be a Premier League player, but Newcastle have raided Bournemouth before and if they were to do the same again, Stanislas would be a brilliant signing.
Newcastle are struggling for depth on both wings, something that Stanislas would offer. The English winger can score and make goals, with three goals and three assists to his name in nine appearances this season.
Stanislas, while capable of operating on both wings, is better on the right and has proven that he can perform regularly in the Premier League.
He would be the perfect addition to any squad that is looking to gain promotion and consolidate in the Premier League and at 27 he should still have international ambitions.
Stanislas has the potential to get better and is only 27 years old, he also currently has the ability to be considered one of, if not the best player in the current Newcastle squad.
2. Tom Cairney
Cairney is a regular performer for Fulham.
He can play on the right wing and as a number ten, both positions in which Newcastle lack depth.
With Mo Diame and Christian Atsu both away on international duty this winter, Cairney would give the squad great depth.
At 25 years old, Cairney is still young and can improve. He has four goals and two assists this season.
He is a very well rounded, technically gifted player. His pass completion this season exceeds 90%, impressive for someone who mainly operates in attacking positions.
Rafa Benitez has brought in technically gifted players before and Cairney’s excellent passing and dribbling could make him a potential target.
With Snodgrass’ contract expiring at the end of the season, he could be considered a slightly outlandish target.
The Hull star may want to test himself at a higher standard and at 29 years old, this may be his last chance to do that.
However, if he could be persuaded, Snodgrass is a superb player. He has an eye for a pass and a goal and would arguably be the best player in our squad if he was to join.
The Scotland ace would also add depth to positions that the squad is currently light in.
His skill could be easily seen this week, as he scored for Hull as they knocked Benitez’s side out of the EFL Cup at the Quarter-Final stage.
A relatively unknown name in English football, Kevin Möhwald currently plays in the German Bundesliga II (The German equivalent to the Championship) for Nuernberg.
The 23-year-old German operates as an attacking midfielder and already has seven assists and three goals to his name this season.
Möhwald is a well-rounded player, he has great technical ability and is not afraid to strike a ball from distance.
He is also an excellent set-piece taker, something that could prove an invaluable asset to any side.
Furthermore, the German playmaker can play passes long, as well as short. This trait has proven invaluable for Jonjo Shelvey this season and if the side do gain promotion, there may be even more space to play these types of balls into, as teams come to attack rather than defend.
Before you scoff at the idea, due to the division that he currently plays in, he is still young and it is also not uncommon for teams in the Bundesliga II to go and perform well in the Bundesliga, so the league may not be as bad as some think.
With West Ham struggling, they make look to freshen up their squad come January.
Whether Obiang would be one of the players that they may consider cashing-in on is up for debate.
What is not up for debate however, is Obiang’s defensive contribution to his side. He is a combative midfield player that is also comfortable on the ball.
Newcastle will likely sell Cheick Tiote is January, and at this stage of their career’s, Obiang would no doubt be an upgrade.
The Spaniard is only 24 years-old, so may feel that he shouldn’t have to drop down to the Championship. However, a good offer may tempt him to do so and offer competition in a position where we already have quality.
