Joelinton struggled with Newcastle United last season (Getty Images)
According to The Shields Gazette, Turkish outfit Fenerbahce are interested in signing Newcastle United flop Joelinton this summer. The Brazilian also missed a large part of the pre-season campaign due to the quarantine rules.
Born in Brazil, Joelinton came through the youth ranks of Recife’s youth system in his homeland and joined Hoffenheim in the summer of 2015. However, he spent the next couple of seasons on loan with Rapid Vienna, where he scored 21 goals in 79 games before returning to his parent club.
He immediately established himself as a key member of the squad and excelled in the 2018/19 campaign with 11 goals in 35 games across all competitions. His impressive performance earned him a £40m move to St. James’ Park last summer.
Since then, he has managed to score just 2 goals in 38 league games and has struggled for form and consistency.
Steve Bruce has already managed to bring in new faces for the season in a bid to bolster the squad. In order to improve their attacking unit, Callum Wilson was signed. The Englishman has been in sensational form for the Cherries in the last few campaigns, which also earned him a call-up to the national squad.
However, despite signing Wilson, the Magpies keeping hold of Joelinton would be a wise decision. Though he couldn’t score enough last season, the 24-year-old featured in every league game last season. That experience could help him improve his standards in the upcoming campaigns.
Moreover, Andy Carroll and Yoshinori Muto haven’t been as useful as expected to the squad. They have struggled for form and fitness and don’t seem to have a major role under Bruce. Former Crystal Palace man Dwight Gayle, who was lively since the restart, has fallen victim to a knee injury and could face up to four months on the sidelines, as per Sky Sports.
Thus, the Magpies should hand the Brazilian another chance by keeping hold of him. He could be a crucial player alongside Wilson if he is able to replicate the form he showed in the 2018/19 season.
Also, he is just 24 and the manager needs to be patient with Joelinton. His experience after a season in the Premier League should also help him improve his game.
With Gayle out of action due to injury, keeping hold of Joelinton could prove to be a wise decision by the club. He could help the Magpies maintain their depth in the attacking unit. Thus, they should avoid any temptation to sell the Brazilian and keep hold of him beyond this summer.
