Reports in London claim that Tottenham Hotspur are confident of signing Fulham’s talented teenager Ryan Sessegnon this summer, but he is a player Newcastle should be looking at.
Newcastle, who love to buy young players who can increase in value, are still trying to convince Rafa Benitez that he should stay at St James’ Park for the long-term.
A move for someone like Sessegnon would show Benitez that, although they are serious about sticking to their transfer policy, they can build a squad capable of challenging the top 10 while doing so.
MORE NEWCASTLE STORIES
It would also be a sign that the money is there for signings that will smash the Magpies’ current transfer record, should the right player become available.
Competing with clubs like Spurs would be tough
Obviously, it would be hard for Newcastle to compete with the likes of Tottenham for a talent like Sessegnon, with the player already living in London, and Spurs being able to offer Champions League football.
But what Newcastle could offer – that even Spurs may not – is guaranteed first team football, and the opportunity to develop under Benitez.
Sessegnon is entering the final year of his deal, and that, coupled with the Cottagers’ relegation to the Championship, the alleged asking price of around £50 million is likely to now be much less.
We think that this is the type of player that could transform Newcastle from yearly relegation battlers to top-half contenders.
It is up to Mike Ashley and Lee Charnley to show the ambition and prove that the club can compete for top quality signings. The result would hopefully give Rafa the answer he has craved about the club’s vision for the future matching his own.