Unproven Newcastle target Sam Hammers is a risk

By Dom Toner

Newcastle United are reportedly eyeing Dutch attacker Sam Lammers, who is currently on loan at Eredivisie club Heerenveen from PSV Eindhoven.

According to the Daily Mirror (22 December, Page 68), the Magpies are monitoring the 21-year-old ahead of a potential raid in January.

It is understood that the Premier League outfit are exploring the chance of a loan-to-buy deal, but that would require PSV cutting his current deal short first in the New Year.

Rafael Benitez’s side certainly needs some extra attacking firepower in their squad, as they have scored just 14 league goals so far and only Huddersfield Town have netted fewer (11).

But it would be a risk to try bring Lammers to St James’ Park and expect him to make the difference this season.

(Photo by Mustafa Gumussu/Soccrates/Getty Images)

Lammers is a talented upcoming star that is thriving out on loan at Dutch top-flight club Heerenveen.

The centre-forward has scored nine goals in 17 games across all competitions so far this campaign and would provide an extra option to Benitez.

He is a technically gifted ace that is strong off both feet, but whether he could realistically break into Newcastle’s first team is another matter.

There have been extreme examples of successes and failures to come from the Dutch league to the Premier League and it’s too soon to judge whether Lammers is a star in the making or not.

Newcastle would be best served signing an experienced striker in January if they really want to guarantee competition for Salomon Rondon in attack.