Newcastle United Opinion: Why the Magpies should take a punt on Ze Luis?
According to a report from the Chronicle, Newcastle United are interested in signing Spartak Moscow forward Ze Luis. Back in January 2018, Russian website Championat claimed Newcastle United tried signing Ze Luis on loan but the move didn’t materialise due to an obligation to buy clause.
The 28-year-old has scored 12 goals in all competitions for Spartak so far this season. But Ze Luis is seen as an alternative to Salomon Rondon should Newcastle fail to tie the Venezuelan international down to a permanent deal at the end of the campaign.
Rondon has enjoyed an excellent season at St James’ Park. He has proven to be an inspired signing for Rafael Benitez’s team, scoring nine goals whilst supplying five assists for his teammates. And the Venezuelan’s success this season means Newcastle are considering tying him down to a permanent deal.
But as per the Shields Gazette, Newcastle have turned their attention to Spartak Moscow for Ze Luis after being handed £16m price tag for signing Rondon permanently from West Brom.
There is a clear need of a centre-forward next season, whether it’s Rondon or someone else, but Benitez simply cannot overlook reinforcing that area. Given Newcastle’s financial constraints, it’s understandable the club are baulking at splashing so much money on Rondon.
The Venezuelan has thrived in Benitez’s system, becoming a real fans’ favourite at St. James’ Park and should be Benitez’s priority, no matter what.
But if not Rondon, signing Ze Luis would be a massive risk considering that he has reached double figures for league goals in his career just once. Yet, Benitez should take a punt on the Cape Verdean this summer to solve his team’s goalscoring woes.
Ze Luis certainly will offer more than Rondon, though. He not only can hold up the ball well but also make intelligent runs in behind the defenders. His pace, directness and movement on and off the ball could make him an asset to Newcastle.
The 28-year-old is a smart and intelligent forward who knows to make space for his teammates with clever one-twos and subtle movement in the final third.
Read more Newcastle United news, click here: Newcastle United latest news
The Cape Verde international combines his flair and trickery on the ball with his ability of finish off chances in front of goal. The former Braga star is a top poacher and waits for the opposition to make mistakes. Furthermore, Ze Luis is also a threat from set-piece situations, which should make him a perfect fit in Benitez’s direct system of play at Newcastle.
Verdict
Despite a lot of attributes and the player currently in his prime, the fact is Ze Luis remains a big gamble for Newcastle to take. But it’s a gamble Benitez should definitely take, if he fails to land Rondon on a permanent basis ahead of the 2019/20 campaign.
