Newcastle scout 22-goal Turkish league ace – Should Bruce stay away from him?

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Rohan Sengupta

Why Newcastle United must avoid signing Alexander Sorloth

According to reports in Turkey (h/t The Shields Gazette), Newcastle United sent a scout to watch Crystal Palace striker Alexander Sorloth, on loan at Trabzonspor, in action against Besiktas on Saturday.

Alexander Sorloth, 24, is currently on a two-year loan spell at Trabzonspor from Crystal Palace. He has massively impressed in Turkey, scoring for fun this season. The Norwegian has netted 22 goals and provided six assists in all competition as Trabzonspor are top of the table.

The report (h/t The Shields Gazette) claims Trabzonspor have a £6million option to sign Sorloth permanently from Crystal Palace at the end of the season.

Alexander Sorloth 1
Gent’s Alexander Sorloth looks dejected during the soccer match between Waasland-Beveren and KAA Gent, Saturday 16 February 2019 in Beveren-Waas, on the 26th day of the ‘Jupiler Pro League’ Belgian soccer championship season 2018-2019. (Getty Images)

Newcastle United, meanwhile, have royally struggled to score goals under Steve Bruce this season. They have scored only 24 goals in 26 games, similar to that of bottom two clubs Norwich City and Watford. Club-record signing Joelinton has failed to live up to the expectations of the St. James’ Park faithful, scoring only once in 25 league games.

Andy Carroll, since returning to the Magpies, has struggled with injuries, while Yoshinori Muto and Dwight Gayle are yet to open their account for the season. Defenders have been the club’s saving grace, with them contributing 12 of Newcastle’s paltry 24 Premier League goals.

To put things clearly, Bruce simply cannot rely on the likes of Joelinton, Carroll, Gayle and Muto for goals next season and thus, should prioritise signing a centre-forward in the summer. Having said that, however, the Toon Army must avoid signing Alexander Sorloth.

Sorloth arrived at Crystal Palace from FC Midtjylland in January 2018 but failed to make an impact for Roy Hodgson’s side. After 16 Premier League appearances without a goal, the striker was sent to Gent for the final four months of last season, where he scored four in the Belgian league. He then moved on loan again last summer, joining Trabzonspor on a two-year deal.

Newcastle manager Steve Bruce reacts angrily on the touchline. (Getty Images)
Newcastle manager Steve Bruce reacts angrily on the touchline. (Getty Images)

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And the move to Trabzonspor has worked wonders for the Norwegian, who is the top scorer in the Turkish Super Lig with 17 goals in 21 matches.

Verdict

Despite the 24-year-old managing to revive his career in Turkey, Newcastle must drop their interest in the centre-forward. Sorloth’s form for Crystal Palace before he left on loan was less than spectacular as he failed to score in the Premier League.

The fact is that the Magpies need a reliable goalscorer in their ranks next season and Sorloth, even after enjoying a productive season with Trabzonspor, isn’t the player Bruce should go for to solve his team’s goalscoring conundrum.