Newcastle jet out on mission for promising speed machine in the form of his life – report
By Russell Edge
Newcastle United sent scouts to watch Belgian side Mechelen’s 19-year-old attacker Hassane Bande over the weekend, according to a report.
Twitter account Scouts in Attendance, who have established themselves as a reputable source for detailing when and where scouts from various clubs are attending games, state that the Magpies were one of several top flight sides watching the winger, who has been in the form of his life.
The Burkina Faso speed machine has netted eight goals in 10 appearances for his side in Belgium’s top flight, which reportedly drew the likes of La Liga sides Sevilla and Valencia, alongside Newcastle, to watch him against KV Kortrijk on Sunday, in which he netted his fourth goal in five games.
A natural left winger, he is also able to play as an out-and-out striker, and is contracted at Mechelen until 2019.
Football Insider verdict
There is always a risk investing in young talent, especially from overseas, but Bande’s form is enough to make anyone sit up and take notice. The sort of goal scoring record he is showing from the left flank, even in a less prestigious competition like the Belgian Pro League, is astounding, and it is no wonder top clubs are circling. For Newcastle, they already have several wingers on their books, with Jacob Murphy and Rolando Aarons behind firm first team starters Christian Atsu and Matt Ritchie. However, what they do not have right now is an abundance of goals, and Bande has scored just two less league goals than the entirety of the Magpies’ squad this season. His confidence could be exactly what Rafael Benitez needs to inject some energy into his side, and they should be able to convince him that there would be at least some first team action for him should he arrive on Tyneside.
In other Newcastle United transfer news, the club are looking to reignite a swoop for a former target after failing with a £20million bid.
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