15 goals in 14 games and wanted by Real Madrid: Newcastle United must be misty-eyed over Bas Dost

By Mathew Nash

Newcastle United have long been linked with an interest in Bas Dost. As reported by The Mirror in 2015, Newcastle first wanted the then-Wolfsburg striker for £9 million prior to Benitez’s arrival. No deal ever happened, with Dost joining Sporting Lisbon a year later.

In the summer it was reported that Rafa Benitez was happy to reignite the interest in the player. Marca suggested that Newcastle were the frontrunners for the player, along with Everton and Sevilla.

It came after Dost threatened to rescind his contract at Sporting, in the same way new Wolves keeper Rui Patricio did, after fans invaded the club training ground.

LISBON, PORTUGAL – DECEMBER 19: Bas Dost of Sporting CP celebrates scoring Sporting CP fourth goal during the Portuguese Cup match between Sporting CP and Rio Ave FC at on December 19, 2018 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images)

In the end, Dost was one of the Sporting players who stuck by the club and Newcastle, according to the Chronicle, decided the potential legal difficulty in doing a deal made it unwise to do so.  

Dost has since gone on to start the season on fire. The Dutchman has 15 goals in 14 games, which has some of Europe’s big boys lurking.

According to Diario AS, Dost is on the shortlist of potential striker recruits to help Madrid find the net on a more regular basis. A Bola has also reported on the interest.

He would not come cheap and considering the legal minefield that Newcastle might have had to navigate to sign Dost in the summer whilst his contract situation was in limbo they were probably wise to avoid a deal. But 15 goals in 14 games? If only Newcastle had such prolific scoring up top.