OPINION
Newcastle United can take a huge stride in this summer’s transfer market by signing Tottenham attacker Marcus Edwards.
The 19-year-old with the shimmering talent and the world at his feet would represent an excellent-value deal that even Mike Ashley would not baulk at paying.
The Guardian claim that wide attacker Edwards wants to quit Spurs after accepting that his chances of breaking into the first team under Mauricio Pochettino has disappeared.
The left-footed dribbler, who was compared to Lionel Messi by the Argentine 18 months ago, has just come off a difficult season in which Pochettino criticised his attitude and he failed to make an impact while on loan at Norwich.
Edwards wants a change of scenery to ignite his career and this is where Rafael Benitez can step in.
The teenager is out of contract at Spurs this summer and, while he will be a free agent, compensation costs to the club who developed him, could make the eventual fee between £3million and £5million, according to club insider Lilywhite Rose, a reliable source of academy news.
 
£3-5m. Hes only ever played 25 minutes of senior football.
— Lilywhite Rose (@lilywhite_rose) June 6, 2018
Newcastle are in need of a gamechanger from out wide who can terrorise defences and chip in with goals and assists.
Edwards can certainly be that player. He is regarded by those at the Tottenham academy as the best player to emerge from the ranks since the two Harrys, Kane and Winks.
He will need careful handling – Pochettino has spoken of behavioural issues – but has the potential to be something seriously special.
Benitez can turn him into a household name at St James’ Park.
