As he seeks to add to the fire-power of his Newcastle roster, manager Alan Pardew declared yesterday afternoon that he would not be buying British, because home-grown price tags have become far too high.It’s hardly the first time we’ve heard such a sweeping condemnation of the UK transfer market but we at Football Fancast still cry ‘Blaspheme!’ as we throw darts – fully equipped with union jack flights – at a picture of Pardew’s face.And just to prove that home-grown gems are still out there, especially in the front-man department, FFC have listed no less than EIGHT of them – all reasonably priced I might add – to show the Tyneside boss the error of his ways.
[ffc-gallery]CLICK ON DANNY WELBECK TO REVEAL
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Troy Deeney
For an alleged asking price of £8million, in my opinion, Watford striker Troy Deeney represents fantastic value-for-money.
The 26 year-old has been knocking on the Premier League door for some time, with 56 goals in his last 131 Championship appearances. And he’s got the current campaign off to a flyer to find two goals in four outings, including this cheeky lob against Bolton:
Measuring in at 6 foot 1 and possessing that ever-clichéd ‘big bum’, the former Walsall star is a powerful and creative presence in the final third, as viewable below:
And there’s no doubting the quality of Deeney’s finishing. Take this strike against Charlton last season for example:
And who can forget his role in this extraordinary sequence of events against Leicester at the end of the 2012/13 campaign, securing the Hornets a place in the Play-offs:
//www.youtube.com/embed/TPmZeHxWR58
The former Aston Villa trainee deserves his chance at top flight level but Alan Pardew will have to undergo a change of heart incredibly quickly – according to the tabloids, Hull City are set to make a double-figure offer for Deeney:
JERMAIN DEFOE
Jermain Defoe only left Tottenham for the MLS in January, linking up with former teammate Ryan Nelson at Toronto FC.
Well, the American league draws to a close in late October, giving the England international a good six months or so until the action starts up again.
Alan Pardew could do a lot worse than securing the 31 year-old’s signature in a loan deal. Defoe may not be the road-running poacher he used to be, but he is the 9th highest-scoring Englishman in Premier League history.
Here’s a look at some of the former Spurs, Portsmouth and West Ham striker’s best goals in the English top flight:
//www.youtube.com/embed/xghVlRW5-Nc?rel=0
And although the Three Lions veteran, who boasts a return of 19 in 55 on the international scene, has lost a few yards of pace, he’s still a potent finisher, having netted 12 goals in 17 appearances for the Canadian side – including this strike against New York Redbulls:
Defoe hasn’t given up on international football despite being left out of Roy Hodgson’s World Cup squad, and another run in the Premier League could give him a way back in.
The prominent flaw of this suggestion however is that due to Defoe’s age and availability (a permanent transfer seems unlikely), he can only be considered a stop-gap.
DANNY WELBECK
According to reports, Manchester United are about to axe England international Danny Welbeck:
The 23 year-old is by no means an out-and-out striker famed for his goal-getting. But the winger-forward would nonetheless be a useful addition to Newcastle’s attack and he netted an impressive nine times in just 15 Premier League starts last season.
Welbeck’s frustrating inconsistencies are well known, but it’s worth mentioning that he’s never been used more than in a bit-part role by United and regular game-time could see the Carrington product realise his much-heralded potential.
Here’s some of the forward’s highlights from last season:
//www.youtube.com/embed/Xwz3VGuehnM?rel=0
It’s believed the Red Devils would sell for around £15million, but Mirror Football have linked Welbeck to no less than five clubs, namely Tottenham, Everton, Sunderland, Hull and Southampton, whilst Arsenal are also known to be interested:
That could lead to a feisty bidding war but United would prefer not to sell to a direct rival, which could give the Magpies a slight advantage.
NICK POWELL
Another Manchester United hotshot who could be worth the punt for Newcastle is highly-rated midfielder-come-striker Nick Powell.
The 20 year-old impressed in the Championship last year during a term-long stay with Wigan, as viewable below, also finding three goals in the Europa League:
The highlight of his Latics stay was this sensational goal against Bolton:
Here’s another look at Powell in action:
//www.youtube.com/embed/ZfclynD35gY?rel=0
And the former Crewe kid doesn’t appear to be a key figure in Louis van Gaal’s plans, having missed out on the Red Devils’ pre-season tour of the USA.
It’s been alleged before that United could be tempted to sell for around £5million, and with such a low fee involved, Powell is a risk worth taking for Newcastle.
At the moment however, a second loan stint in the Championship – this time with Nottingham Forest – is the likeliest scenario:
Connor Wickham
One English front-man transfer avenue Newcastle have reportedly already tested this summer is a bid for Sunderland striker Connor Wickham.
After scoring eight times in just eleven appearances on loan to Sheffield Wednesday last season, the 21 year-old returned to the Stadium of Light to play a pivotal role in the Black Cats’ Premier League survival, netting against Chelsea, Manchester City and Cardiff City and finding an assist against Manchester United. This near-post finish particularly caught the eye:
A return of 17 in 37 for England across the junior levels further backs the 6 foot 3 forward’s goal-scoring credentials. Here’s the highlights from his short stay at Hillsborough:
//www.youtube.com/embed/LQbAai-wlLU?rel=0
Most appealingly, the Junior Lion rejected a contract extension on Wearside earlier this summer, with his current deal set to expire at the end of the season.
West Ham couldn’t tempt Gus Poyet with a £5million bid but recent speculation suggests Sunderland’s valuation is only £3million higher:
PATRICK BAMFORD
Chelsea youngster Patrick Bamford may not offer too much – or in fact anything – in the way of Premier League experience, but the 20 year-old is already generating a prolific reputation for himself in the lower leagues.
He bagged 18 goals in 34 appearances during two stays with MK Dons in League One, and last term contributed an important eight goals to Derby County’s promotion push in a promising cameo role.
Furthermore, some of his finishes are absolutely incredible. How about this effort against Sheffield Wednesday from last season?
Here’s a look at some of the former Nottingham Forest trainee’s best strikes from last year:
//www.youtube.com/embed/EZdfvQFwSgM?rel=0
Chelsea sell youngsters like hotcakes and will be more than prepared to let Bamford leave if Newcastle offer a decent mark-up on their original £1.5million investment.
That being said, the Magpies will have to act quickly, with the striker expected to join Middlesbrough on a season-long loan by the end of the day:
Saido Berahino
How much West Brom would want for Saido Berahino remains to be seen, having tied the highly-rated youngster down to a long-term contract in December 2013.
But there’s no doubt the 21 year-old is a sensational talent. He bagged five goals last season amid a campaign of immense turmoil at the Hawthorns, including this stunner against Manchester United:
He’s got the current campaign off to a flyer with a brace against Sunderland on the opening weekend.
Berahino can play anywhere across the front, blending his pace, dribbling ability and lethal finishing well, and also comes with a potent record of seven goals in eight for the England U21s.
Here’s some of the highlights from his first season in the Baggies first team:
//www.youtube.com/embed/QJp7d5xIPHk?rel=0
Newcastle have already been linked with the Burundi-born striker this summer:
But Alan Irvine has issued a clear hands-off warning and will be keen to hold onto Berahino for as long as possible.
PETER CROUCH
Peter Crouch may not be pretty in neither face nor style but it’s hard to dispute that the 33 year-old striker is an effective force in the Premier League.
He’s netted 88 times in 362 top flight appearances, throughout spells with Aston Villa, Southampton, Portsmouth, Liverpool, Spurs and Stoke City, including this sensational strike against Manchester City back in 2012:
//www.youtube.com/embed/YmUXn7un-lU?rel=0
That may not seem like the most potent total but it’s the former England international’s all-round contribution that’s made him such a Premier League mainstay. As viewable below, the 6 foot 7 forward is at his best when bringing others into the game:
With the likes of Siem de Jong and Remy Cabella added to the Magpies starting Xi this summer, the Stoke City striker could prove to be an inspired choice as a target man for both attacking midfielders to link-up with.
Furthermore, it’s believed the Potters are willing to sell for as little as £3million this summer, after securing the signature of Barcelona prodigy Bojan:
Bargain.
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