Paddy Kenny believes signing Barcelona duo Ousmane Dembele and Philippe Coutinho could boost Newcastle’s relegation fight.
Newcastle United made all the headlines in early October after the Saudi backed consortium’s successful club takeover. With the new owners promising to make the club great through huge funding to sign in the best players in the world, teams in Europe are bracing for offers from the Magpies for their players.
With the club expected to spend significantly in the January window, the Magpies might find themselves in a difficult spot on the table owing to their fixture list. Between now and 31st December, Newcastle will have to face Arsenal, Leicester City, Liverpool and Manchester City, along with other mid-table sides, all vying for their scalp.
Losing those ties would ensure the club remain pinned within the relegation zone, with little scope of recovery and escaping the drop at the end of the season. The Magpies are linked with several superstars, including Barcelona duo Ousmane Dembele and Philippe Coutinho, despite the situation being as it is.
According to Paddy Kenny, Newcastle could get a boost in their survival fight if they manage to sign the duo. He told Football Insider how these players, who cost Barcelona quite a lot of money, will help the Magpies keep their place in the Premier League at the end of the term.
Kenny said, “They are going to have to get some players in, or they could be going down. Coutinho hasn’t been unbelievable for Barcelona. But he could end up being Newcastle’s saviour if it comes to a relegation scrap. If they could get Dembele to come in January as well, then that would be incredible.
“Barcelona will be disappointed with how it’s gone with both players when you think about how much they have cost. They could both do with a fresh start and a move away. We know the talent they have got, and they are both proper superstars. It’d be quite an adjustment from Barcelona to Newcastle though. They wouldn’t be walking about in shorts anymore.”
While Coutinho has a contract until 2023, Dembele’s expires at the end of the current campaign. This could let Newcastle United make a reasonable offer for their services, as both Blaugrana stars have struggled in recent years at the club and could take the chance to resurrect their respective careers.
