Newcastle United close to signing Santiago Munoz
According to reports in Mexico (h/t Shields Gazette), striker Santiago Munoz is ‘on the verge’ of signing for Newcastle United. The 19-year-old Mexican striker has also left training to complete a move ‘elsewhere’, according to Cruz Azul boss Juan Reynoso. He is currently contracted at Liga MX club, Santos Laguna.
Football fans don’t need reminding that his name bears a stark resemblance to Santiago Munez, a fictional movie character who also played for Newcastle United in the iconic football film ‘GOAL!’. Uncanny resemblances aside, we are now faced with the question – is he a player that Steve Bruce should sign this summer?
Santiago Munez would be a useful addition at Newcastle
Newcastle United’s striker situation looks a little grim. They do have the talented Callum Wilson, who has made waves since his move from Bournemouth, as well as Joelinton, who was a club-record transfer two years back when Newcastle paid £40million for him. But they lack quality backup for them.
Japanese striker Yoshinori Muto has left the club this summer for Vissel Kobe, and Andy Carroll is also no longer at St. James’ Park. The club may have signed Joe Willock from Arsenal so far, but they are yet to bolster their attack this summer. And with just a few days left in the transfer window, time is running out.
Dwight Gayle is the only natural striker that would provide backup to Wilson and Joelinton. But the Englishman is also turning 32 in October and it remains to be seen just how long he can play at the top level. He is not a trusted starter, considering he was in the starting XI just four times in the last Premier League season.
NUFC can accomodate Munoz in their set-up
What compounds the issue for Newcastle in the centre-forward department is that they have been playing a formation with two strikers up top. That instantly requires a team to have good depth when it comes to strikers. In that regard, signing Santiago Munoz makes sense.
If the 19-year-old does join them, he can link up with their U23 team first. The 19-year-old has already made his bow in Liga MX Clausura and Apertura. If he does sign for the Magpies, he can get a feel of English football with the reserve squad before taking the step up. But for that, Newcastle should move fast.
The deadline day is approaching and the club should plan for the season ahead. With Munoz, they can have a young striker who can play as an understudy to the club’s two main men up top at the moment. Doing so will then allow him to gain the experience to be a future starter.
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Hence, there is both space in the squad as well as the need to sign a young striker like Munoz, and the Toons would be a stronger side when it comes to depth in attack with him rather than without him.
