Newcastle United

Benitez wants to bring prolific forward to Newcastle United

Rafa Benitez wants to bring prolific Israeli forward Eran Zahavi to the club this summer as he looks to put his own stamp on the Newcastle squad, according to The Sun.

It is understood that Benitez wants to solve Newcastle’s goalscoring problem from last season, in which they only scored 44 goals.  This job looks to have been made even harder, with Georginio Wijnaldum and Aleksandar Mitrovic set to leave the club this summer.  The two stars scored 20 goals between them last season.

One solution to the problem could be the signing of Zahavi, who has been very prolific whilst playing in Israel for Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Zahavi has scored 117 goals in his last 150 games for Maccabi after signing for the club from Italian side Palermo in December 2012.

The forward, who typically plays as a Number 10 and not a striker, scored 48 goals in 55 appearances for his club last season.  This tally includes eight goals in 11 Champions League qualifying and group stage matches.

Zahavi made his international debut for Israel in 2010 and has scored five times in 31 appearances for his country.  Now captain of Maccabi Tel Aviv, the forward has been attracting lots of interest this summer.

It is believed that Ajax are interested in Zahavi, along with several clubs playing in the Chinese Super League.  Newcastle may tempt the attacker however, with the potential of Premier League football next season.

Zahavi is not proven in England so cannot guarantee goals for Newcastle should the club sign him.  Despite this his record last season cannot be ignored, and Zahavi is obviously a natural goalscorer.

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