Paul Mitchell sees who Newcastle United's next new signing should be after £450m PIF transfer spending
Newcastle United have spent around £450million on new signings since PIF took control three years ago, yet none of that has gone towards recruiting a right forward.
That has to change.
This isn’t an attack on Jacob Murphy or Miguel Almiron, who, I’d like to make clear, have been terrific for the football club. It is to their credit that when the Magpies rapidly progressed from Premier League relegation battlers to Champions League qualifiers, the pair grew in tandem.
Almiron’s goals between September and October that season helped get Newcastle to the Champions League and his strike against Paris Saint-Germain 12 months ago got the ball rolling on a St James’ Park night for the ages.
Murphy, meanwhile, is the boyhood Newcastle fan living the dream. He too, after being written off by many, has made some key contributions and undoubtedly has a place in Eddie Howe’s squad moving forward.
But neither he, or Almiron, should be relied upon any longer to start games for sustained period.
In an attack line where Newcastle have splashed out £63m on Alexander Isak, £45m on Anthony Gordon and even £38m on Harvey Barnes, the right side sticks out like a sore thumb.
January will come round quick and there are suggestions sporting director Paul Mitchell will revisit a deal for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi but I’d argue a right forward is far more pressing, especially with both Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles due back in the New Year.
It’s clear where the problem currently lies. The goals have dried up of late with United last scoring in open play six hours and 45 minutes ago.
Chances are being created - Alexander Isak and Gordon missed a few against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday - so things may well change, but the point still stands.
Howe’s squad needs an injection of quality - somebody, or something, to re-energise the squad and fanbase following a disappointing summer transfer window and an unconvincing start to the campaign.
The last signing to really do that was Gordon, who arrived 20 months ago. Attackers get people on the edge of their seats, defenders don’t.