OPINION
Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez is busy searching for potential January targets as he looks to bolster his squad for a battle against relegation.
According to reports the Magpies manager is on the hunt for a left-back, an attacking midfielder, and a striker after identifying the weakest points of his squad.
However, there are other areas of the squad which could do with reinforcement, and should the right deal surface, then Benitez will no doubt be tempted to take it.
One of those potential deals involves Liverpool right-back Nathaniel Clyne, who has fallen far down the pecking order at Anfield under Jurgen Klopp.
According to the Daily Mail, the Merseyside club may be willing to listen to offers for the 27-year-old flyer in January, with Klopp having several other options in that position.
While Benitez is not focusing on a new right-back in January, his current options there are not exactly brilliant with starter DeAndre Yedlin backed up by Javier Manquillo, who has proved he is not up to Premier League standard.
Yedlin is currently coasting far too easily at St. James’ Park, with the USA international currently walking into the starting XI without any competition.
And, while Yedlin is a good player, he has some significant weaknesses, and a player like Clyne at his peak is a far better option for Benitez.
Considering the fact that Clyne is now 27 and has just 18 months left on his deal at Anfield, an offer between £8-10million would surely make Liverpool take notice.
Bringing in a player of Clyne’s quality for that kind of money would be a huge boost for the Magpies in January, and would put them on the path to progression in years to come.
This is an opportunity that Benitez simply cannot pass up, and he must pounce for the 27-year-old England international in the coming weeks.
