Newcastle's £22m target is even better than Belgium trio Benteke, Lukaku and Origi

Michy Batshuayi (centre) has scored 10 goals for MArseille already this season

NEWCASTLE'S £22million January target Michy Batshuayi is better than his Belgian counterparts Romelu Lukaku and Christian Benteke.

 

That is the view of former sporting director for Standard Liege, Batshuayi's former club, Jean-François de Sart.

"Michy is the most gifted of his generation, more complete and technical than Benteke, Lukaku and Origi," De Sart wrote in his France Football column.

"I have rarely seen such a fast, powerful and good striker over the first few meters."

 

Batshuayi, 22, competes with Everton's Lukaku and Liverpool pair Benteke and Origi for first-team chances in the Belgium national side.

He is reportedly a transfer target of Arsenal's, although Newcastle recently emerged as a credible winter destination for the Marseille ace.

The Magpies are desperate for goals as they seek to avoid Premier League relegation.

 

Divock Origi (right) is yet to score for Liverpool

 

Christian Benteke (left) has scored just four goals since his £32.5m transfer to Liverpool

 

Romelu Lukaku scored twice in Everton's win over Aston Villa at the weekend

Manager Steve McClaren bought Aleksandar Mitrovic and Georginio Wijnaldum for a combined £29m in the summer.

Only Wijnaldum has stood out, with six goals to his name this season, and McClaren is understood to be seeking further recruits.

Batshuayi's scoring record compares favourably to his compatriots playing in England.

 

The former Liege hit man boasts 10 goals in 17 appearances already this season.

That is compared to 24-year-old Benteke's four goals, while Origi, 20, is yet to net this campaign.

Lukaku, 22, has hit form this autumn with four goals in three games for Everton to lift his overall tally to 11.

As for Marseille, they do not want to sell star man Batshuayi and value him at £35m, although Newcastle reportedly believe they can get him at a discounted price.