From The Italian League – Is Napoli’s Allan Marques Loureiro A Good Option For Newcastle United?
Newcastle United have been slower than some to get their summer recruitment drive running at full speed, but Rafa Benitez now seems very keen on bringing Napoli’s Brazilian midfielder Allan Marques Loureiro the club.
He has a fight on his hands too; West Brom and Southampton also seem keen on the player but Benitez is showing increased urgency to bring someone into the central midfield area to add to the presence of Isaac Hayden and Jonjo Shelvey.
Allan has impressed in Serie A for the last few years and at 26, is hitting his peak right now in this position. The former Udinese man played 37 times last season including 8 Champions League games and is a hardened professional – the type Benitez can get the very best out of.
Since joining Udinese from Vasco Da Gama in 2012, Allan has played 168 times in Serie A and 18 times in European competition for both the Zabrette and Napoli. Even from his defensive midfield position, he contributed 5 goals in those games during that time.
He would represent a marked step up on Jack Colback, as well as adding competition to the positions filled mostly by Hayden and Shelvey. Hayden needs to learn. On the other hand, Shelvey is supremely talented but can get lazy if not motivated properly and so the addition of Allan would improve the overall levels in the squad quite significantly.
With players like Jacob Murphy and potentially the fit again Rolando Aarons bursting down the wings next season, there will be an increased need for defensive solidity in the middle of the park. Allan made an average of 2.4 tackles per game in Italy last term, as well as 0.9 interception meaning he is terrific at getting the ball back. Once he has it, he doesn’t relinquish it often, as his impressive 87% pass completion rate back it up.
He is a quality player, no doubt about it. With the current fascination for modern day players with playing in the Premier League, it seems there would be no problems about tempting the player in. Fees should not be a problem, especially with Napoli willing to sell. So this looks like a deal which could be refreshingly easy to complete.
Newcastle need reinforcements in this area and with youth in other areas given a chance, it would be encouraging to see a properly hardened player come into the side.