Fulham is making money moves as they bid for Zinchenko

I’m a fan of young midfielders who are underused at top Premier League clubs. It means that they’re green, ready to prove themselves, and are eager to learn from a manager who gives — insert bad word here — about their development as top players.

Oleksandr Zinchenko is one of those players. He’s a talented midfielder who can be used on the wing, as well as a defensive wingback. He’s versatile, young, and dying for first-team football. And for only £16m or thereabout, Newcastle could find itself a future number 10 worth talking about.

Well with Isaac Hayden and Mikel Merino out of the picture, it would appear that Newcastle United has an opening for a young talented midfielder with Zinchenko’s pedigree.

At this current point in time, Wolverhampton has proven very keen on signing the young Ukrainian bidding around £16m to lure him away from Manchester City. But they’re not the only ones making money moves. Fulham, once again, has proven that they’re ready to spend big money.

That’s right. That Fulham. The one who made a double swoop for players from Nice. The one prepared to make a £20m bid for Aleksandar Mitrovic from Newcastle United. AND NOW THE TEAM WILLING TO SPEND £16M ON OLEKSANDR ZINCHENKO FROM MANCHESTER CITY.

And all I keep thinking is: why? Why doesn’t Newcastle United decide to actually get in on this action? Why doesn’t the club think about the great deal that they’d be getting from this move? Zinchenko at £16m is not only a steal, but it’s the greatest investment for the future of the club. With the loss of promising youngsters like Hayden and Merino, the club is need of bringing in another permanent deal to prepare for the future. Loan deals don’t do that. Signing Ki from Swansea was a good move for quality depth, but a club without young players to lean on is a club that isn’t prepared for the future.

Zinchenko could be that future. Kenedy will be the future (if signed permanently at the end of this deal). It’s a lack of moves like these that are going to be the downfall of Newcastle United. It’s a lack moves like these that will drive Rafa Benitez away. We’ll be fine next season, I’m sure of it. But three, four years down the line? We’ll be relegated again if this continues.