Three reasons Newcastle must hijack Swansea’s bid to re-sign Andre Ayew
According to reports in the printed edition of The Sun on December 5, via Wales Online, Swansea City are hoping to re-sign forward Andre Ayew from West Ham United in a cut-price deal.
The Ghana international only left the Liberty Stadium to join the Irons in a £20m deal in the summer of 2016, but The Sun says that he is already surplus to requirements under new boss David Moyes.
The report adds Paul Clement’s Premier League strugglers are keen to bring the 27-year-old back to Wales in a cut-price deal, and they could make their move during the January transfer window with their place in the top flight at risk as things stand.
Meanwhile, Newcastle United will also be worried about their own chances of staying up after taking just one point from the last 18 available, and the Tyneside outfit now lie just three places and five points above the bottom three.
Manager Rafa Benitez will already be planning potential additions for the New Year, and bringing the Ghanaian attacker to St James’ Park could prove to be a shrewd move.
Here are three reasons the Magpies should hijack Swansea’s bid to sign Ayew…
They need a new attacker
While Dwight Gayle has found the net in the defeats against Manchester United and Chelsea in recent weeks, it is clear to see that he, Joselu and an out of favour Aleksandar Mitrovic aren’t a trio that can get through to the end of the season and guarantee Newcastle stay up.
The trio have just five Premier League goals between them this season, and with the usual attacking midfield trio of Ayoze Perez, Matt Ritchie and Christian Atsu only adding a further two, it is clear to see where one of the Magpies’ main issues lies.
With 14 goals in 15 top flight matches, they need at least one new attacker in January and bringing Ayew to St James’ Park would certainly help them in that department.
Goal record
With 12 goals in 34 Premier League matches for Swansea – even though he often played out wide rather than as a centre-forward – and with 11 in 42 in all competitions for West Ham in similar circumstances, it is clear to see the goal threat Ayew can bring.
The versatile 27-year-old has proven that he is able to score both spectacular goals from outside the box – think his stunning strike against Crystal Palace earlier this season – as well as being a poacher inside the penalty area, and that is something Newcastle need right now.
Price tag
The Sun says that Swansea are hoping to sign Ayew for a cut-price fee – around half the £20m they sold him for – and that is something that could attract Benitez if he wants to add players with Premier League experience to his squad in the New Year.
The Mirror reported on Monday that the Spaniard is ready to demand a £20m January budget, and the Ghana international would certainly fit into that if the rumours of his availability are true.
Do you agree, Magpies fans? Let us know below.