One area that Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has been unable to strengthen in recent windows is central midfield, with the Magpies currently looking rather short on options in that department following Jonjo Shelvey’s exit.
Despite having reportedly shown an interest in the likes of James Maddison and Conor Gallagher during the January window, the centre of the park has yet to be bolstered since Bruno Guimaraes’ arrival just over a year ago, with that potentially set to prove fatal if the Tynesiders are to struggle in the coming months.
It is clearly a part of the squad that the north-east side are keen to address this summer, however, with recent reports outlining that the St James’ Park outfit are looking at Eintracht Frankfurt sensation, Daichi Kamada.
What’s the latest on Daichi Kamada to Newcastle?
According to 90min, Newcastle are one of the clubs who are showing an interest in the 26-year-old ahead of the summer window, with the Japanese international potentially set to be available on a free transfer with just a matter of months to run on his current deal in Germany.
The report suggests that the 27-cap menace is also currently attracting interest from the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur, as well as from European giants such as Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund.
As the piece also notes, the former Sagan Tosu ace would prove an attractive prospect to any potential suitor due to his versatility, as he is able to feature in an attacking midfield role or in a deep-lying berth – as well as on the flanks.
Could Kamada be Newcastle’s next Almiron?
Such flexibility is one of the reasons why Kamada is said to share a number of stylistic and statistical similarities with current Magpies star, Miguel Almiron, according to FBref, with that boding well for the impact that he could make in English football.
That likeness is perhaps best illustrated by the pair’s relentless work ethic either in a central role or out wide, with the Frankfurt maestro ranking in the top 13% among those in his position across Europe’s top five leagues for tackles made, while Almiron ranks in the top 15% in that same metric.
The latter man – who can operate in a playmaking berth or in a right-wing role – has proven himself a truly potent presence in attack so far this season, leading the way for Howe’s side with ten goals in 22 top-flight games this season, all of which have come from the start.
Kamada, too, has also showcased his attacking talents under Oliver Glasner so far this term, having scored 13 goals and provided five assists in 27 games in all competitions, taking his total tally for the club to 68 goals and assists in 159 games to date.
Lauded as an “incredible talent” and a “joy to watch” by journalist Josh Bunting back in August, the £34k-per-week playmaker was particularly impressive in the Champions League meeting at Spurs earlier this season, having scored in the eventual 3-2 defeat in north London.
The 6 foot menace has thus already proven himself against Premier League opposition, while his apparent likeness to that man Almiron should ensure that he can replicate the Paraguayan’s recent stunning form at St James’ Park.