OPINION
Newcastle United must reignite their reported pursuit of Bristol City defender Joe Bryan as the 24-year-old would improve Rafa Benitez’s current squad.
Paul Dummett, DeAndre Yedlin and Javier Manquillo are currently the Magpies’ only natural out-and-out full-backs who are seen as being capable of featuring for the first-team.
With Dummett being the club’s first-choice left-back and Yedlin being the club’s first-choice right-back that means an injury to either player will see Manquillo called into action.
The 24-year-old is a fantastic squad player due to his versatility but his performances in a Magpies shirt have hardly been inspiring and the club should be looking to do better.
If Dummett was to suffer an injury ahead of the new season or in the early stages of the campaign as it stands the Magpies would look vulnerable in the position of left-back.
This is why the Magpies must instantly revive their previous interest in Bryan as Bristol City sound like they’re set to struggle to keep him at the club this summer.
The Daily Mirror previously reported in January that Rafa Benitez had been given the green light to pursue the 24-year-old flyer and yet nothing seem to come of the club’s interest in him.
Bryan would be fantastic player to welcome to St James Park in this window as the pacey left-back, who can also feature as a left-winger, was very impressive in the Championship last season.
The 24-year-old, who is set to get better given his age, ended his 2017/18 campaign having scored seven goals and registering three assists in the 48 outings he made for Bristol City.
Bryan looks ready to step his career up a level and play in the Premier League with him looking more capable of delivering the goods in England’s top-flight if his performance against Manchester City last season is anything to go by.
Bristol City played Man City in the League Cup last season and in both legs of their meeting Bryan was one of the standout performers.
The pacey left-sided flyer showcased his dribbling skills, strong tackling ability and his knack for being able to read his opponent’s minds so he can intercept the ball in those two games and in the rest of his appearances he made last season.
The Bristol Post reported on Wednesday that the Championship club could lower their £10million demand for him with time ticking down on this window and that the player had ambitions to play at the highest level he can.
The local newspaper stated that according to one of their sources the 24-year-old was most likely to move to a Premier League side this summer despite Leeds United and Middlesbrough chasing his services, or move next summer when his Bristol City contract expires.
It seems that the Championship side face a battle to keep the left-sided flyer at the club, with the Bristol Post describing the chances of him staying as slim, and the Magpies must win the race for his services.
Bryan would instantly give cover for the position of left-back and provide Dummett with healthy competition for a first-team place if signed.
