Newcastle should make January move for Okazaki

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Newcastle United should consider making a move for Leicester City’s Shinji Okazaki this month.

The Magpies are now halfway through the January transfer window and still haven’t signed any players.

Rafa Benitez is in dire need of some reinforcements, with his side having slipped back into the relegation places after a recent run of poor results.

It’s looking as though it’ll be the same old story for Newcastle fans in terms of a lack of investment for new players.

That could mean the Spaniard will need to keep his eye open for some bargains, and/or players who are available.

Over at Leicester, Okazaki arguably fits the bill.

A potentially great partner for Rondon

Japan international Okazaki is not everyone’s idea of a ‘top’ Premier League striker.

Certainly his record in the top flight is by no means stellar, having scored just 14 Premier League goals in 104 appearances, but what makes him an asset is his relentless nature.

Okazaki was an ever-present under Claudio Ranieri during Leicester’s incredible title-winning season in 2015/16.

He never gave opposition defenders a moment’s peace and formed a terrific partnership with Jamie Vardy.

He has recently been linked with a move to Huddersfield Town (The Sun), but now that David Wagner is gone there’s a chance the Terriers might not want him anymore.

Benitez should consider moving for Okazaki, who has outright said it could be time to move on (Reuters), as he could be an excellent partner for Salomon Rondon.

Okazaki, out of contract this summer and potentially available on the cheap, buzzes around and could wear defenders down for the physical Rondon to then capitalise on.