OPINION
Everton were recently linked by the Daily Mail with a move for Crystal Palace defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and that’s a deal that Newcastle United should be looking to hijack.
The 20-year-old has excelled at Selhurst Park this season, making 13 appearances in all competitions and solidifying himself as the team’s first choice right back.
Right back is an area of need at St James’ Park, with DeAndre Yedlin comfortable in his role as the team’s starter. Javi Manquillo is the American’s deputy, but the Spaniard has rarely looked like an adequate solution at the position.
Yedlin is a good player, of course, but there’s no doubt that he would benefit from a little extra competition. Wan-Bissaka would provide that and then some.
The Mail’s report claims that the Toffees are willing to offer Palace attacker Ademola Lookman in a swap deal for Wan-Bissaka.
Newcastle could do something similar in order to gain the upper hand over Marco Silva’s side, perhaps offering their misfiring frontman Joselu or winger Christian Atsu. Those players probably wouldn’t be enough to snare Wan-Bissaka on their own, so a player plus cash deal could be needed to sweeten the pot.
It’s imperative that Newcastle improve the quality in their squad in January, and Wan-Bissaka could be the perfect player to help them in the second half of the season.
He is young, fast and has shown himself to be adept defensively. At just 20 years of age he’s only going to get better so he would be a long term purchase for the Magpies as well.
At Everton, Seamus Coleman and Jonjoe Kenny block Wan-Bissaka’s path to the first team, while only Yedlin really stands in the way of the Palace man and a starting spot at St James’ Park.
This is a deal that can be done, and would instantly improve Rafael Benitez’s squad. The Spaniard shouldn’t think twice about giving Palace whatever they want for the youngster.
