Why Newcastle United would be wise to sign Ademola Lookman on loan 

Newcastle United are interested in RB Leipzig winger Ademola Lookman and are expected to make a loan offer with an option to buy, according to Skysports.

Magpies boss Steve Bruce is desperate to increase his attacking options in this month’s transfer window as they have struggled to score goals. They are now poised to make a real push to sign former Everton wide-man Lookman, who has fallen out of favour under Julian Nagelsmann. He has clocked just 131 minutes of Bundesliga football under Nagelsmann this season.

Lookman has been limited to just four appearances after his move from Everton. The English winger’s contract with RB Leipzig runs until 2024.

He scored five goals and got three assists in only seven Bundesliga starts and four sub appearances when joining the German club on 30th January 2018 for a four-month spell. Lookman made 21 Premier League appearances for Everton last season but only three as a starter and got no league goals or assists.

In search of regular first-team football, the winger, who turned 22 in October, became part of the small but growing number of young English players moving on permanent deals to the Bundesliga.

With next to no football, no goals or assists, the former Everton player has struggled this season.

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Verdict

Lookman is exactly what Newcastle United need at this point in the season. Their lack of depth offensively has been massively exposed, with an over-reliance on Allan Saint-Maximin and Miguel Almiron to provide goals and assists. Lookman would add extra quality out wide – an area where the Magpies have struggled. Christian Atsu has blown hot and cold, while it’s likely that Matt Ritchie will remain in the defence.

The former Everton man has proven in the past that he has the natural ability; he just needs minutes to fully make his mark. An excellent dribbler with raw pace, Lookman would suit Steve Bruce’s counter-attacking system brilliantly. There are other areas where Newcastle need to improve in January, including upfront, but adding extra quality out wide is a must.

A winger who can play on both sides, the England U21 international has also played as a striker through the middle and would provide competition to Joelinton.