Newcastle United is a club with enormous potential. St. James’s Park, a 52,000 stadium, enjoys sell-out crowds every week, and the Toon army are undoubtedly one of the most loyal, loud and excitable fan-bases in the Premier League.
Likewise, the Tyneside club has an impressive, consistent youth system and a prestigious history that includes European competition and prior title-challenging campaigns, not to mention such legends as Alan Shearer and Paul Gascoigne to name a few.
But this vast potential has never quite been realised – Newcastle is a club always seemingly caught in unnecessary drama. Perhaps a few justifiably expensive signings could push the Magpies in the right direction.
So with that in mind, here’s a list of FIVE players that could transform Newcastle, propelling them up the league table.
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CLEMENT GRENIER
Newcastle have been linked to Clement Grenier before and in January their reported interest proved to be a non-starter:
But surprisingly, the 23 year-old now appears to be edging towards the exit door at Lyon, with the Magpies once again emerging as his likeliest suitors:
No doubt, the French playmaker is a sensational talent, just check out this wonder-goal during a pre-season friendly against Real Madrid last summer:
//www.youtube.com/embed/rHnM-M3FtB0?rel=0
Grenier was in good form for Les Gones last season too, as detailed below:
But The Daily Express believe Newcastle will have to stave off interest from Arsenal, Everton and Southampton for the France international’s signature.
ANDRE AYEW
Another Ligue 1 star who would significantly boost the quality of the Newcastle starting XI is Marseille man Andre Ayew.
The 24 year-old has emerged as the French top flight’s most potent wideman, boasting a return of 49 goals and 16 assists in 164 appearances for L’OM. That includes a decent haul last season despite battling with injury, as detailed below:
And as also visible above, the Ghana international netted twice at the World Cup, including this well-timed header against Germany:
As well as this impressive finish against the USA:
Furthermore, with Marseille enduring a poor season and only a year left on Ayew’s contract, the 2011 BBC African Footballer of the Year is widely expected to leave Stade Velodrome this summer.
The Express resultantly rate him at £10million, but Newcastle will have to fight off interest from Arsenal, Liverpool and Napoli for his signature.
Recent speculation suggests the Serie A side are currently leading the race:
IVAN PERISIC
A regular supply of goals from midfield can change the fortunes of any Premier League side, and one man who could provide that service for Newcastle is Croatia midfielder Ivan Perisic.
Magpies fans might remember the 25 year-old for netting this wonder strike against Arsenal in the Champions League during his Borussia Dortmund days:
//www.youtube.com/embed/Q_7yha9fiBM?autoplay=1&loop=1&playlist=Q_7yha9fiBM
Perisic was in good form for Wolfsburg last season and transitioned his performances into the World Cup, as detailed below…
That includes this impressive solo effort against Cameroon:
The winger’s quality has never been in doubt, and he’d most likely still be at Westfalen right now if it wasn’t for a bust-up with Jurgen Klopp. So unsurprisingly, after an impressive World Cup, there’s interest from the Premier League and Serie A in his services.
But there’s still time for Newcastle to weigh in, providing they can keep suitors Everton at bay:
JAVIER HERNANDEZ
With Loic Remy unlikely to return to Tyneside, the Magpies are in desperate need of a dependable goalscorer next season.
Coincidentally, Manchester United are about to throw away perhaps the most natural poacher the Premier League has to offer in Mexico international Javier Hernandez.
As you can see from his first 32 goals for the Red Devils, Chicarito is a real fox in the box that scores for fun, providing you can get him a decent chance at goal:
//www.youtube.com/embed/1u39tLGTNok?rel=0
And despite more commonly featuring from the bench than as a starter for the Old Trafford outfit, with the exception of last season, the 25 year-old has reached double figures in all of his Premier League campaigns.
With regular football, Hernandez could soon prove to be one of the English top flight’s most potent entities. Arsenal, Spurs and Southampton have all been linked:
But rated at around £10million, he should be within Newcastle’s financial reach too.
PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG
Despite only joining the Borussia Dortmund ranks last summer and netting 16 goals during his debut season at Westfalen, including this absolute beauty against Mainz… Reports from Germany suggest the Black-Yellows are prepared to offload former Newcastle target Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Often dubbed ‘The African Neymar’, the 25 year-old boasts a mixture of pace, trickery and netting prowess, as shown in the video below…
//www.youtube.com/embed/pHCGF7MYIQw
Highly-rated throughout Europe and capable of undertaking a variety of positions in attack, the Gabon international would be a sensational coup for the Magpies.
An alleged £6million release clause only makes Aubameyang an even more enticing transfer prospect.
But recent speculation suggests interest from Tyneside could soon be gazumped by Chelsea:
