Newcastle United could look to the remaining days of the transfer window to strengthen their squad to improve their chances of qualifying for the Champions League and now a new update has emerged on a potential transfer target.
What's the latest?
According to The Evening Standard, Newcastle are interested in a swoop for Chelsea playmaker Hakim Ziyech but the London club are reluctant to do business with them due to their position in the Premier League.
As per the report, the Morocco international could leave Stamford Bridge on loan this month with Newcastle one of the clubs interested in signing the player, however, Chelsea aren't keen on handing over their player due to the competition for a position inside the top four over the second half of the season, despite the fact Todd Boehly has personal friendships with members of Newcastle's board.
Better than Gordon
There is no doubt that Ziyech would be a great piece of business for the Magpies in their pursuit of a top-four place come the end of the campaign and it could signal the depth in their attacking threat that is needed in order to continue their domestic dominance.
Newcastle are currently third in the Premier League table after suffering just one defeat over their first 20 outings so far and since beating Southampton at St Mary's on Tuesday evening are looking like real contenders to reach the final of the Carabao Cup at Wembley Stadium next month.
Indeed, Eddie Howe will be thrilled with the phenomenal form that his side has displayed already this season, however, the final push at the business end of 2022/23 will be the real reflection of how far his team have come since he joined just over a year ago.
Thus, adding some fresh perspectives in important areas of the team could be key to unlocking the added consistency needed to compete for the top four.
As a result, the loan move for Ziyech may well be an ideal solution for Newcastle as the talented attacker could be the creative output Howe is reportedly keen to strengthen in during the remaining days of the transfer window.
It has been heavily speculated that the northeast outfit are close to securing a deal for Everton winger Anthony Gordon this month, however, the £100k-per-week Ziyech would actually be a higher quality and more experienced alternative in the short term.
Over last season, Ziyech outperformed Gordon in a number of attributes including goal contributions (7 v 6), pass completion rate (72.1% v 64.9%), shot-creating actions per 90 minutes (4.57 v 3.03) and progressive passes (59 v 48).
What that suggests is that the Morocco international is a more reliable threat in the final third, one that would surely deliver immediate results as opposed to Gordon who is still very raw.
The Chelsea ace also has the experience of competing in and winning a Champions League, as well as going to numerous domestic cup finals including the Carabao Cup and FA Cup final last season which could bring another winning mentality into the team, whereas Gordon is likely to be lacking confidence due to the situation at Goodison Park.
With that being said, the signing of Ziyech would make more sense for Newcastle in their pursuit of European football, Premier League dominance and success in domestic competitions as his experience could give the side a great boost to meet their goals this season.