Alan Pardew should kick-start his summer spending spree at White Hart Lane
Tottenham Hotspur outcast Niko Kranjcar is almost certainly going to leave White Hart Lane this summer, after opportunities for the Croatian International have become almost nonexistent this season. The player himself has made his feelings clear on his desire to leave and it looks a nailed on certainty the former Portsmouth man will be heading for a new team. He was quoted in a tabloid newspaper yesterday morning as saying “Is there a point of beginning next season as a bit-part player? None whatsoever.” With this in mind, the player would be an excellent addition to the Newcastle United squad, and is an option Alan Pardew should consider.
Regardless of his evident ability, Kranjcar has failed to break into Harry Redknapp’s starting line up playing second fiddle to a number of quality players. Redknapp has preferred to play either Modric, Huddlestone, Jeans, Sandro or Van der Vaart ahead of him in the central midfield role. Kranjcar has only completed 90 minutes once in the league this season and only made two starts, incidentally during one of which he scored a stunning goal against Sunderland. Whether the Croatian would be interested in a move to Newcastle or not is unknown, but he would definitely bring creativity to the Newcastle midfield that was missing in yesterday’s game with Liverpool.
The article in the tabloid quotes Kranjcar as stating he would be interested in a move to Italy, “I would definitely be interested in moving to Italy. I think I would adapt quickly to Italian football.” If Newcastle were to show an interest in the player he may well be interested in prolonging his Premiership career, however this is all assumption.
Newcastle’s current midfield is blessed with talented players, Nolan, Barton and Tiote all of who bring significant qualities, but there does still appear to be a spark missing at times. Newcastle needs a player who can unleash rasping shots from 25 yards, a player with quick feet who can spot a through ball and I see Kranjcar as that man. Usually when a player becomes unwanted, as it appears Kranjcar is at Tottenham, the opportunity to secure a bargain can arise and I can’t see Spurs wanting much more than £5-6 million for the player. Unfortunately I don’t make the transfer decisions at Newcastle and I’m sure Alan Pardew has his eye on a selection of players already. However, I feel the chance to buy a player of Kranjcar’s class would be a great acquisition for the Toon Army and not seizing upon Kranjcar’s availability would be a mistake in my book.
Newcastle made a last ditch attempt to buy back Charles N’Zogbia in the January window for a reported £10 million pounds. If they are willing to part with that sort of money for the Frenchman, buying Kranjcar for possibly half the price is a no brainer! If it transpires that Kranjcar heads to Italy, not only would the Premiership lose a talented player but someone with proven Premier League calibre will have been overlooked by Newcastle.
