Why Newcastle United should go all out for Erling Haaland

As reported by the Shields Gazette, former Newcastle United ace Steve Howey has suggested that the club should look to sign Erling Haaland once the club’s takeover is completed.

The 19-year-old Haaland has established himself as one of the most prolific young goalscorers in Europe. Having started out at the academy of Bryne in Norway, Haaland made a handful of first-team appearances before joining Molde in 2017.

Two years later in January 2019, Haaland moved to RB Salzburg and that is where he burst out as a breakout star. In just 27 appearances for the Austrian outfit, the 19-year-old plundered 29 goals and 7 assists, earning a move to Borussia Dortmund in January this year.

Since joining Dortmund, the teenage forward has continued in his goal-scoring ways. Prior to the season suspension, Haaland made 11 appearances for the German giants, bagging 12 goals and creating a couple more.

Meanwhile, Newcastle United find themselves mired in the Premier League mid-table. The Magpies are 13th in the English top-flight, having endured another sub-par campaign. But things could be set to change at the St. James’ Park next season as they are poised for a £300m takeover by a consortium backed by the Saudi Arabian Crown Prince.

Newcastle’s miserable record in front of goal

Should the takeover go through, Newcastle will have funds to improve their squad next summer. One area that certainly needs reinforcing is the centre-forward position.

In the ongoing campaign, the Tyneside outfit have scored just 25 goals in 29 league games, which is the joint-lowest in the English top-flight. Midfielder Jonjo Shelvey is their top scorer with 5 goals. Moreover, no striker features in the top-eight goalscorers for Newcastle in the Premier League this term.

This, in spite of the club boasting of Joelinton, Andy Carroll, Dwight Gayle and Yoshinori Muto. Newcastle broke their transfer record to sign Joelinton last summer, but the Brazilian has just scored one goal. The rest of the strikers have failed to contribute a single goal.

So Newcastle should look to sign a world-class centre-forward come summer if they are to better their performances in the coming seasons.

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In that regard, Haaland would be a great addition to the ranks. A prolific goalscorer, the 19-year-old has proved himself at every club he has been at. Moreover, given his performances this season, he would be a major upgrade on the current options available at Newcastle.

Verdict

Haaland is one of the most prolific goalscorers in Europe currently. The Norwegian talent has been in top form in the last two years. He would add some much-needed quality to the Newcastle United attack that has been found wanting this season.

Hence, Newcastle United, backed by their new owners, should try to lure the 19-year-old to St. James’ Park in the summer.