Former Anderlecht playmaker Dennis Praet is reported to be interesting Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez.
The 23-year-old only moved to Sampdoria in Italy last summer for €10M (£9M), but the news in Il Secolo XIX is that Rafa has made it known he is interested in signing the player this summer.
Dennis played for the first team at Anderlecht since 2011 so that Aleksandar Mitrovic and Chancel Mbemba will know all about the player and will give him a good reference about Newcastle United.
While at Anderlecht Dennis played 182 times in total with 27 goals and 39 assists.
Last season in Italy he played 34 times for Sampdoria with one goal and one assist.
New transfer target Dennis Praet of Sampdoria
Praet played for all the Belgium youth teams from U15 through U21, and he has one cap for the full Belgium side.
Praet is also versatile and can play in most midfield positions, and that could be an attraction for the Newcastle manager, who is looking for more creativity in the side.
Rafa mentioned yesterday some of the players Newcastle were after were not yet being reported in the papers, but maybe this is one player he can cross off that list now?
Rafa wants at least four new players signed in the last 12 days of the summer transfer window.
And if we can get a decent four players into the club, we will have had a decent enough transfer window although not ideal having missed out on too many of our targets early in the window.
But then in January or next summer, Mike Ashley needs to make sure Rafa has the money to bring some real class into the squad.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
8 comments so far
Worcs-Geordie
Aug 19, 2017 at 8:07 AM
Comment #1Not enough tattoos to be seriously good… But at least he has played in a reasonable team most of last season. Productivity seems low though.. Think even Sissoco gave more…
Harley
Aug 19, 2017 at 8:12 AM
Comment #2I reckon we’ll sign slimani on deadline day.
OneAlanShearer
Aug 19, 2017 at 8:12 AM
Comment #3Rafa’s ideal first xi with new players positions yet to be settled?
New
Manquillo Lejeune Clark New
Shelvey Hayden
Ritchie New atsu
New
I still think that rafa will want 4 more top players in those positions.
I think player sales may mean he’s limited to a striker and a keeper.
OneAlanShearer
Aug 19, 2017 at 8:18 AM
Comment #4Our best xi I’d play against Huddersfield.
Elliot
Manquillo mbemba lascelles Clark
Merino Hayden
Ritchie Joselu Atsu
Gayle
If Gayle is still wary of his hamstring I’d push Joselu up front and throw in Perez. We will definitely be playing a counter attacking game so I’d get as much pace on the pitch as possible with both Aaron’s and Murphy on at some point
Lindisfarne
Aug 19, 2017 at 8:24 AM
Comment #51alan
I think Yedlin would be RB
Team for tomorrow (literally)
—————Hoselu
—–Atsu—-Ritchie—Murphy
———Diame——Hayden
Manq—-Clarke—Lascelles—Mbemba
——————Elliot
Ron Knee
Aug 19, 2017 at 8:25 AM
Comment #6Interesting article on Rafa:
https://twitter.com/CaulkinTheTimes/status/898787138585501696
Jib
Aug 19, 2017 at 8:26 AM
Comment #7There should be no doubts over Joselu’s fitness.
Sparky is a crap manager but his sides are always really fit.
OneAlanShearer
Aug 19, 2017 at 8:26 AM
Comment #8Harley – I’d be happy with that. He has everything we need.
We have A lot of players to see to get that.
However I have been wondering if a few swap deals might get us what we need.
I just hope rafa gets enough in.