Newcastle United Transfers: 8 Players Benitez Must Sign This Summer

3. Javier Hernandez

pepe reina newcastle
© INA FASSBENDER/Reuters/Corbis

Newcastle are in the market for a striker, and Manchester City's Kelechi Iheanacho would have represented an enticing option. The 20-year-old has fallen down the pecking order at the Etihad, but now looks set to sign for Leicester in a £25 million deal, where he'll likely continue his development as one of the league's most exciting attacking prospects.

With the Nigerian gone, Bayer Leverkusen's Javier Hernandez should be the next man on the list. The prolific Mexican poacher is reportedly available for just £13 million this summer, and while he'll likely have better offers from clubs further up the pecking order, he'd be an ambitious signing for Rafa Bentiez' side.

Chicharito has notched 28 goals in 54 league appearances for Bayer. His pace, intelligence, and ability to find space inside the box make him ideally suited to Rafa's preferred system, which always works best with a mobile centre forward as the centrepiece. Dwight Gayle was incredibly prolific last season, but has just 13 career Premier League goals before. Hernandez would come with a proven track record at the very highest level, and would make an excellent starter or rotation option.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.