Why Newcastle United must go all out to sign Mbwana Samatta in January

According to a report from BBC, Newcastle United and West Ham are both interested in signing Genk striker Mbwana Samatta.

Mbwana Samatta, 26, was the top scorer in Belgium’s Jupiler Pro League last season with 25 goals. The striker, who has scored 6 goals in 13 league games this season, including the strike in his team’s 2-1 Champions League defeat to Liverpool on Wednesday, has a £10m release clause in his contract, the report adds.

The Tanzania international’s fine form has attracted the attention of a number of Premier League sides, with Newcastle and West Ham both interested in bringing him to England. That being said, Newcastle must go all out to beat West Ham to the signing of Samatta in January.

Mbwana Samtta has established himself as one of the potent strikers in Europe. (Getty Images) — Mbwana Samatta has established himself as one of the potent strikers in Europe. (Getty Images)

Newcastle have already spent big on improving their forward department in the last two transfer windows, with the likes of Miguel Almiron, Joelinton and Allan Saint-Maximin arriving at the club.

Yet, the trio hasn’t been able to live up to the lofty expectations of the St. James’ Park faithful. Joelinton has just one goal to his name, while Saint-Maximin and Almiron are yet to break their duck.

The Magpies have continually struggled for goals since Steve Bruce took over in the summer. Bruce must weigh up his options to add more goals to his team. So far this season, Newcastle have netted just 9 goals in 11 league games.

If things don’t improve, they could be in for a relegation dogfight. This is why the Newcastle boss should look at Samatta to fire his team up the league table in the second half of the season.

Mbwana Samatta in action for Genk. (Getty Images)

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Samatta scored 32 goals in all competitions last season and has been in good form for Genk this season. He has also proven his pedigree in the Champions League, which includes a brilliant header against Liverpool at Anfield.

The Tanzanian is excellent in the air, can hold up the ball well and simply lethal inside the box. In the video below one could get a glimpse of the 26-year-old’s qualities.

The Dar es Salaam native is arguably in the form of his life and it really isn’t rocket science to figure out as to why he is destined to achieve great things in the beautiful game. Samatta has the quality and potential to enhance Newcastle’s attack, whilst adding competition for Joelinton, Almiron and Yoshinori Muto.

Verdict

With his peak years still to come, if Newcastle can get Samatta within £10m, Bruce would pull off a masterstroke signing in January.