Why Newcastle signing Sam Cosgrove would bolster their attack 

According to the Scottish Sun (h/t Daily Record) in December, Newcastle United are planning a shock swoop for Aberdeen striker Sam Cosgrove in the winter window. 

The report claimed that the Magpies are expected to seek some additional firepower up top in the January window. Cosgrove has really hit top gear in Scotland this season but Steve Bruce is still keen to offer him a route to the Premier League. 

Profile

Born in Yorkshire, Cosgrove completed his footballing education at Wigan Athletic, having started his career in the youth ranks of Everton. However, the 24-year-old made just a solitary competitive appearance for the Latics, spending time on loan at Chorley, Barrow and North Ferriby United in the non-league arena. 

He had a brief stint at Carlisle United in League Two before moving north with Scottish side Aberdeen in January 2018. Cosgrove shot to prominence at the Pittodrie Stadium with his goalscoring heroics in the following campaign. He found the net 21 times in all competitions in 2018-19, guiding the Dons to a 4th-place finish. 

Cosgrove bettered that tally with a 23-goal haul for Aberdeen in the previous campaign, including 6 goals in 6 Europa League qualifiers. The towering hitman has suffered a dip in form this season, scoring just thrice in 10 league outings for the Dons. However, he remains one of the most talented strikers in Scottish football. 

Cosgrove would be a good long-term addition for Newcastle

Newcastle would be well within their rights to scour the market for a new striker this month. The Magpies have managed just 18 goals in 16 games so far, leaving them 15th in the standings with 19 points. Summer signing Callum Wilson has contributed to 8 of those goals while also registering 3 assists in the process. 

It’s pretty clear that Newcastle have lacked significant goal contributions from their other attackers. Joelinton and Andy Carroll have shared just two league goals between them so far this season.

With the latter linked attracting interest from West Brom, the Magpies could potentially find themselves short of cover up top heading into a hectic second half of the season. 

Moreover, Dwight Gayle is also out of contract in the summer, which should prompt Bruce to keep one eye on alternatives in the January window. Sam Cosgrove looks more than worth a punt for Newcastle this month. 

The Yorkshire-born marksman has struggled to emulate the lofty standards set by himself in the previous campaigns. But an overall tally of 47 goals in 99 appearances for Aberdeen clearly lies testament to his quality as a goalscorer. Cosgrove struggled to make an impression in English football earlier in his career but he looks like a more complete player now. 

Read More

• Why Newcastle should take a chance on Sam Cosgrove
• Why Newcastle should return for Boubakary Soumare in January

Verdict

Sam Cosgrove has entered the last 18 months of his contract at Aberdeen, meaning Newcastle United should fancy their chances of nabbing him for a decent price this month. The former Wigan prospect still has his best years ahead of him at 24 and would hand a considerable boost to Bruce’s long-term plans.