Rafa is Ready, Willing and Abel to Strengthen Magpies Forward Line

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Rafa Benitez is looking to boost his misfiring forward line, targeting Hull City striker Abel Hernandez, reports the Daily Mail.

With just 35 goals so far this season, it’s little wonder Newcastle United have struggled in the Premier League until recently. Leading the Magpies scoring list are Dwight Gayle and Ayoze Perez with just five goals each.

Hernandez, 27, has scored eight in 10 appearances for the Tigers this season is a free agent this summer. Having missed a large portion of the campaign, the Colombian has returned to fitness with a fire in his belly.

With 36 goals in 99 league appearances, Hernandez is an ideal signing for the Tyneside club whose transfer budget is a constant source of friction between owner Mike Ashley and Benitez.

On-off talks with a consortium fronted by financier Amanda Staveley seem to have stalled once more, leaving Benitez once again dealing with Ashley and his cohorts whose regular shifting of the goalposts leave the Spaniard frustrated.

Loan signing Islam Slimani has failed to impress since moving to St James Park with questions over his fitness yet to be resolved. Despite a prolific record in Portugal, the Algeria international has failed to make an impression in English football.

While Newcastle are safe from relegation, Benitez is determined to ensure his squad can push on and avoid a repeat of this season’s relegation battle.