OPINION
Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez will have several positions he is looking to strengthen in the January transfer window, but centre-back is not likely to be one of them.
The Magpies have a relative wealth of resources in the middle of defence, with Jamaal Lascelles, Federico Fernandez, Florian Lejeune, Fabian Schar and Ciaran Clark all available to Benitez.
In comparison to every other position on the pitch, Benitez has literally no worries in the world when it comes to his options at centre-back.
It is surprising then that the Magpies are being linked with a January swoop for Cardiff City defender Sol Bamba.
As reported by Calciomercato, Newcastle are one of three Premier League sides interested in the 33-year-old centre-back, who has admittedly been impressive for the Welsh newcomers.
The Italian outlet claims that Benitez is a big fan of the 6’3″ colossus [Transfermarkt] after coming up against him during the Magpies’ time in the Championship.
Obviously the authenticity of this report cannot be confirmed, but should the Toon really be weighing up a swoop for Bamba in January, then they must bin those thoughts immediately.
Firstly, as mentioned, there is no need for another centre-back in the squad. Bringing in another first-team centre-back would cause more problems than it would solve.
Benitez needs to be focusing his attention on the attacking positions, with Newcastle particularly in need of a new attacking midfielder, while another striker would also be handy.
Secondly, while Bamba is no doubt performing well at the moment, there would be some major questions hovering over him in the coming years.
The Ivory Coast international is not young at 33 years old, and would be able to give Newcastle a maximum of two or three years’ service at the required level.
That also means that he has minimal sell-on value, which is a key factor in any purchase for the Magpies under the stewardship of Mike Ashley.
All in all this is not a January swoop which makes any sense for Newcastle, and they must swiftly forget about it in favour of other, less pointless and wasteful moves.
