A now customary third round exit from the Emirates FA Cup has significantly increased the Toon Army’s angst regarding Newcastle’s perilous Premier League position, and disillusioned fans are beginning to grow frustrated at the Magpies’ lack of activity in the current transfer window.
However, it seems that Steve McClaren’s side are set for a belated transfer breakthrough within the next 24 hours.
The Chronicle report that Newcastle are hoping to kick off their recruitment drive by tying up a £4.5million deal for Bordeaux captain Henri Saivet, with McClaren confirming that the player is currently on Tyneside undergoing a medical.
Saivet has reportedly expressed concerns over Newcastle’s ominous league position, but the Magpies are hopeful that a lucrative five-year contract will be enough to convince the talented midfielder to make the switch to St James’ Park.
The versatile Senegalese international has impressed scouts from Arsenal, Everton, Southampton and Stoke with his stellar performances for the Ligue 1 side this season, and McClaren will hope that his ingenuity can inspire a futile Newcastle side that are devoid of imagination.
Saivet initially forged a name for himself as a multifaceted forward, with his power and pace earning comparisons with French legends Thierry Henry and Nicolas Anelka. However, the plethora of injury issues that reduced the former France u21 international to just seven league starts last season robbed him of his blistering pace and forced him to redesign his game.
In the past six-months Saivet has gained the captains armband at Bordeaux whilst seamlessly transitioning to a deeper engine room role at the heart of Willy Sagnol’s side, thriving as an all-action box-to-box midfielder.
The Navy and Blues’ skipper caught the eye by bagging a sublime first half free-kick in Bordeaux’s 2-1 Europa League defeat to Liverpool in November, and he more than held his own against heavyweight Premier League opposition.
Athletic, tenacious and familiar with the 4-2-3-1 formation McClaren has predominantly deployed this season, Saivet – who has won the third most tackles in Ligue 1 – is equally adept in a holding role or as an attacking midfielder.
The diminutive 25-year-old’s tireless displays in the middle of the park have drawn glowing comparisons with highly acclaimed PSG and France midfielder Blaise Matiudi, with his experience as a forward also make him a force to be reckoned with in the final third of the pitch.
French publication GFNF report that Saivet’s positional discipline and passing intelligence have improved considerably over the first half of the season, claiming that his pace and power would make him a significant upgrade upon current Newcastle midfielder Vurnon Anita.
Comparison statistics from Squawka reveal that Saivet’s attacking contributions this season far surpass those of Newcastle’s current central midfielders.
The Senegal star is streets ahead of both Colback and Anita in terms of total forward passes, key passes and total shots on goal, showing that his addition would go some way towards helping a one-dimensional Newcastle side get on the front foot – something they have desperately struggled to do over the first 20 games of the campaign.
Although he is clearly adept at going forward, WhoScored.com cite Saivet’s main strengths as his tackling, defensive contributions, ball retention and aerial ability – again showcasing the many facets to the versatile Senegal star’s game.
It’s unlikely that Saivet’s signature will be enough to save Newcastle’s season on its own, however, the addition of an established international who can occupy any role across the midfield or front three with aplomb will give McClaren plenty of options heading into the second-half of the season, as the 54-year-old looks to rescue the 18th placed Magpies from an unthinkable drop to The Championship.
For more of an insight into what Saivet can bring to the table, take a look at the video below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXSRDs_95Kw
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