Reported Newcastle target Limbombe would not provide the end product that’s needed

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Newcastle United have again been linked with a move for Nantes winger Anthony Limbombe.

The Magpies were first credited with interest in the Belgium international last summer (The Sun) after he had impressed at former club Club Brugge.

Limbombe has made a steady start to life in Ligue 1, but hasn’t been starting regularly – 10 of his 16 appearances in the league have come from the bench.

He was called up to the Belgian national side by Roberto Martinez last year for a friendly against Saudia Arabia.

No better than Atsu

Newcastle’s reported pursuit of Limbombe (Mercato) is odd if there’s anything in it.

Limbombe did very well at Dutch side N.E.C – he scored 23 goals in 70 games, but his numbers have not been sparkling since he left the club in 2016.

For Nantes this term he hasn’t yet scored or assisted, which makes it difficult to understand Newcastle’s supposed interest.

Limbombe operates predominantly on the left wing which is where Christian Atsu currently plays.

The Ghanaian has really struggled to impose himself for Newcastle and has offered very little by way of goals and assists – like Limbombe, he has no goals or assists either.

Atsu’s final ball has been questionable, but it is no worse than that of Limbombe.

Newcastle must ensure they don’t make what would be a knee-jerk decision on Thursday, not that Nantes would allow their player to leave so easily.