Newcastle United’s Domestic Bargain Hunting

Since the conclusion of the Premier League, numerous sources have reported a budget of approximately £30 million will be allocated to Steve Bruce for signings in this abbreviated summer transfer window. This wee kitty is going to force the club to be creative and crafty with their targets, as Newcastle needs strengthening in multiple positions, namely striker, winger, and full-back. To manager this measly budget, focus will perhaps go to exploiting recently-relegated sides, as fire sales frequently befall teams who suffer the financial ramifications of dropping out of the Premier League. If Newcastle were to bargain hunt at the three clubs who ungracefully exited the Premiership this past season, here is one player from each team they should target, with estimated transfer costs derived from market values on Transfermarkt.

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Watford: Troy Deeney - £6 million

Right off the bat, this may be the most unpopular selection of the three, but I think it would be a savvy move for the club to make. Comparing Deeney to Bournemouth’s Callum Wilson, with whom Newcastle is being heavily linked at over three times the market value, draws some surprising results. Last season the Watford man outscored his Bournemouth counterpart by two goals, 10 to 8, despite playing six less games. This goal return would have made him the highest scorer on an offensively-tepid Newcastle team. Widening the scope even larger, Deeney has outscored Wilson in their respective five-year Premier League careers, with 47 goals to Wilson’s 41. At around £6 million, Deeney would serve as an extremely affordable plug-in for Newcastle’s attack, even if just for one season.

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Bournemouth: Lloyd Kelly - £10 million

Making a full 180 pivot from the thinking on quick fix 32-year-old Troy Deeney, this signing would be a gamble on youth and league inexperience. The 21-year-old English starlet may be difficult to pry away from Bournemouth after they spent £12.45m on his purchase from Bristol City last summer, but with the need for cash after relegation Newcastle may be able to get their man at a cut price. Liverpool had been linked with the left-back in recent weeks, however last Wednesday The Athletic reported that talks had fallen through. What Newcastle can offer that Liverpool cannot is an immediate competition for the starting left-back role, as currently there is no standout player in the Newcastle side. Kelly’s versatility as both a full-back and wing-back makes him an attractive option for Steve Bruce, and I believe he would be an exciting addition for a perennially weak position on the team sheet.

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Norwich City: Emiliano Buendía - £14 million

The Argentinian right-winger started the season in impressive form, recording four assists in the first five matches, with the two most notable contributing to Norwich’s shock 3-2 victory over Manchester City. He then suffered a three-month dip in form, momentarily falling out of Daniel Farke’s starting lineup, before three more assists came during the holiday period. The 23-year-old Getafe product ended the campaign with seven assists in thirty-six league appearances, leading all relegated players in that stat category and contributing to over 25% of Norwich’s twenty-six goal total. He is currently being linked heavily with Leeds United, but would be a canny buy for a Newcastle team deplete of options on the ride side of midfield. Pacey and good on the ball, Buendía’s skill set nicely compliments Saint-Maximin’s, and could provide an injection of creative influence needed in this Newcastle side.

What are your thoughts on my bargain buys? Leave your comments, whether they be glowing endorsements or adamant disagreements, in the section below!