Newcastle target Zimbabwean striker

NEWCASTLE – Struggling English premiership side Newcastle United are reported to be targeting 25-year-old Zimbabwean striker Matthew Rusike who plays for Swedish side Halmstads BK.

Despite splashing out £13m on Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, the Magpies have failed to find the net in six of their 11 Premier League games so far this season and face a battle to avoid relegation.

Under-pressure manager Steve McClaren is on the lookout for attacking reinforcements in January and has reportedly identified Rusike as someone who could add some bite upfront.

Rusike only joined Halmstad this summer, halfway through the season just ended in, agreeing an 18 month deal which saw him leave Kaiser Chiefs in South Africa.

When the contract was agreed, it contained a clause which allowed him to leave if Halmstad were relegated.

A similar arrangement to how Newcastle got Demba Ba on a free from West Ham, though no indication either way as to whether any fee would need to be paid. Rusike remained tight lipped on the speculation first saying “No comment.”

Before adding “I am sure many teams have looked and many have seen me when the national team plays. I hope everything resolves itself for me and that Halmstads return straight away [to the top flight].”