Newcastle United are interested in signing West Brom defender Ahmed Hegazi, according to reliable football insider Dean Jones.
Jones – who is known for being the Bleacher Report’s football insider – claimed on his personal Twitter account that the Magpies are keen on the services of the 6’3″ (source: Transfermarkt) Championship giant, who is also on the radar of league rivals Brighton and Hove Albion.
There is interest in West Brom defender Ahmed Hegazi from Brighton and Newcastle.
— Dean Jones (@DeanJonesSoccer) July 30, 2018
The Egyptian international – who has 48 appearances for his country – has recently been relegated to the second tier with the Baggies following his arrival in 2017 from Ahly.
The 27-year-old still has four years left to run on his current contract at the Hawthorns, which ends in 2022.
OPINION
It remains to be seen why Newcastle are interested in signing a centre-back in this transfer window after already landing the services of Fabian Schar. Boss Rafa Benitez already has club favourite Jamaal Lascelles in the centre of defence, so a swoop for Hegazi would only be to provide cover. However, Florian Lejeune has sustained an injury, so United may be looking for a defender to provide cover in his absence. Nevertheless, once Lejeune is back from injury, Hegazi would not be facing many first-team opportunities if he moved to Tyneside – as there will be three top-level centre-backs already competing for a spot. There is thinking behind the club’s decision to register an interest in the West Brom player, but it would not be fair on him to be ousted by the current crop of players. Hegazi needs to stick it out at the Hawthorns for at least one more season if not more before considering any offers that come his way.
