Why Newcastle should beat Liverpool to sign Pascal Gross in January
According to a report from the Daily Mirror, Liverpool are plotting a £15million January swoop for Brighton star Pascal Gross.
The 27-year-old has impressed since moving to England from FC Ingolstadt in the summer of 2017. He scored 7 goals and assisted 8 in 39 appearances for Brighton last season, winning the club’s Player of the Year award.
The German subsequently signed a new four-year contract in June with the Seagulls as a reward for his eye-catching performances. However, Pascal Gross has so far struggled to reproduce that form this season due to injury, netting just once in eight league outings.
But that hasn’t stopped the midfielder from attracting Jurgen Klopp’s interest. With Liverpool plotting a move for Gross in January, Newcastle United should try hijacking the Reds’ move for the player.
Newcastle United are struggling in the Premier League this season and find themselves 15th in the table. They have managed just a point in their last three Premier League games, which has put Rafael Benitez under pressure again. Things have to change quickly for the Magpies if they are to stay in the top-flight.
And Benitez should at least add a couple of players in the winter transfer window to try and save Newcastle from sinking. An attacking player should be prioritised by the Spanish tactician as the Magpies have struggled to create opportunities in the final third this season.
Pascal Gross would be a brilliant fit for Benitez’s Newcastle side. The 27-year-old is an excellent passer of the ball and has exquisite dribbling qualities. He can make incisive passes in the final third and has a knack for unlocking defences with his through balls.
The German generally operates as a No.10 but can also play on either flank and as a secondary striker. Gross is neither blessed with explosive pace nor is he a defensive workhorse, but his footballing intelligence and ability to create things out of nothing outweigh his lack of physical attributes. Furthermore, he is a set-piece specialist and will be a major upgrade on Ayoze Perez, who has underwhelmed for Newcastle this season.
The addition of Gross will undoubtedly bolster Rafa Benitez’s attacking options at St. James’ Park. The former Ingolstadt man would add a cutting edge to the Magpies’ play in the final third, helping the likes of Salomon Rondon, Yoshinori Muto and Joselu score more.
Read more: 0.9 shots per game – Newcastle must do the right thing and offload this underwhelming 26-year-old
Hence, Newcastle must splash the cash to sign Gross as he would increase competition for places within the squad and help them avoid the drop this season.