According to a recent report from O Jogo, Newcastle United are interested in a January move for winger Yacine Brahimi. The 28-year-old currently plays his football at Portuguese heavyweights Porto and has done so since 2013, with his excellent efforts for the Primeira Liga champions seemingly attracting the interest of Magpies manager Rafa Benitez.
And that’s because reports suggest that Newcastle scouts watched the £23.4 million-rated star (as per Transfermarkt) in action on Monday as Brahimi scored twice in a 3-1 win for Porto over Nacional, yet other reports also underline Everton’s interest in the Algeria international.
Yet it is St James’ Park where Brahimi should opt for this month as opposed to a move to Goodison Park, with greater first team opportunities seemingly apparent in the North East.
The Breakdown
Ultimately, Marco Silva’s Everton spent big during the summer in a bid to develop the squad ahead of a possible charge towards the top six, with Watford winger Richarlison the marquee deal of the window in costing a staggering £50 million from their Premier League rivals.
Yet the Toffees also added fellow winger Bernard to their ranks on a free transfer to further bolster that area of the field, a department that was strengthened in January as well following the arrival of Theo Walcott from Arsenal.
Add in young sensation Ademola Lookman, and the Toffees are reasonably well-stocked in that area of the field, which suggests that 28-year-old Brahimi may have a job on his hands moving towards the top of that particular pecking order.
Compare those options at Silva’s disposal to those at the disposal of Newcastle boss Benitez, and it’s pretty clear just how much more likely first team football would be for Brahimi at St James’ Park.
On-loan star Kenedy has failed to make the same sort of impact he did last term this time round, netting just once for the Magpies, while Christian Atsu has yet to score or lay on an assist in the Premier League so far this season, despite appearing 14 times in Benitez’s side.
Add in struggles for Jacob Murphy and Matt Ritchie, with the latter very much the best of the bunch with three Premier League assists so far this term, and it’s pretty obvious that the Magpies are lacking sufficient quality in the winger department - Brahimi’s arrival would do something about that though.
The 28-year-old has been in outstanding form for Porto in the last few seasons in netting 40 goals and laying on 48 assists in 191 appearances for the club, seven goals and six assists have come in all competitions this time round to help the Portuguese giants reach the last 16 of the Champions League.
And with 12 goals and ten assists in all competitions last term, it’s clear that the Algerian ace is playing some of the best football of his career, and as such could inject some much-needed impetus and flair into a Newcastle side very much labouring towards safety this season.
As such, while Everton appear in a healthier state on the field than Newcastle, the greater chance of first team football at the latter means that Brahimi should opt against a move to Goodison Park in favour of one to the North East giants.
Newcastle and Everton fans… what do you think? Let us know!