For the past few weeks, Newcastle United fans have been getting excited about the prospect of signing Kees Smit from AZ Alkmaar, but that might not be happening now.
It’s no secret that Newcastle United are after a new midfielder. In fact, it’s one of the top priorities for Eddie Howe ahead of the January transfer window.
If not Kees Smit, which midfielder should Newcastle sign in January?
Feel free to name your DREAM and REALISTIC signing….
While signing someone like Elliot Anderson is seen as unrealistic, Kees Smit seemed to offer good value for a promising young midfielder.
In the end, talk of a £53m move was mooted, but it’s now thought Smit will stay put for the time being. So, back to the drawing board for the Magpies, but we’ve done some scouting to help Howe out.
- READ MORE: Newcastle United transfer round-up – Kees Smit blow, new target emerges, Will Osula update
Deep-lying playmakers Newcastle should try and sign
Hugo Larsson
Newcastle have been linked to lesser-known players like Luciano Valente this week, but looking at players with a slightly higher profile wouldn’t be a bad thing. That’s where Hugo Larsson comes in.
The Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder has made a bit of a name for himself in Germany. But, he’s still at the level where Newcastle would not be embroiled in a transfer tussle and having to pay over the odds.
He’s also got Champions League experience, 12 caps at senior international level, and is still only 21-years-old.
Larsson is not the kind of player who will net you a load of goals — but then again, neither is Kees Smit. Instead, he’s a much more composed and dynamic player who can dictate the flow of the game from the middle of the park.
The Swedish star is valued at around £34m by Transfermarkt, which is already £20m cheaper than Smit, too.
Tommaso Berti
It does seem Newcastle are keen to sign a younger profile; someone who can develop into a top player at the club rather than a ready-made signing. That’s not a bad thing, and it opens the door for someone like Tommaso Berti.
He has come through the ranks at local club Cesena, who play in Serie B. Don’t be put off by the fact he’s playing at a lower level, though; Berti has bags of talent and can operate as a 6, an 8, or even a 10. That’s the kind of versatility Eddie Howe needs from a new midfielder.
The 21-year-old already has four assists and one goal this season, and is absolutely destined for bigger and better things soon. Newcastle could get an absolute bargain here, with the young Italian likely to only command a seven-figure sum.
- READ MORE: The curious case of Jacob Ramsey is symptomatic of Newcastle United’s strange use of £240m
Lukas Cerv
Our third and final option is Lukas Cerv, who is currently plying his trade for Viktoria Plzen. The 24-year-old is older than the other two recommendations, but that’s not a bad thing.
In fact, he comes with some decent pedigree, as AS Roma will be able to tell you. Cerv played a key role as Plzen defeated the Italian giants in the Europa League in October, with the Czech midfielder showing his combative side while also causing plenty of problems for Roma and drawing plenty of fouls.
Let’s say Newcastle have a January transfer budget of £100m. How are you spending it?
All on one player? £20m on five different positions? Going big on a goalkeeper and a young-full back gets my vote…
He’s the kind of player who will get stuck in, mix things up, and yet he still has the athleticism and creativity that Joelinton is lacking.
Cerv has 14 international caps, has played in Europe, and like Berti, might cost less than £10m if Newcastle get in there quickly.
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