OPINION
After the signing of Miguel Almiron, Newcastle United need to approach this summer’s transfer window like they mean serious business.
After signing the player that they had courted for quite a while, the supporters will be wanting more of the same, and understandably so.
There are some areas on the pitch that need some strengthening still, there is no doubt about that in the slighest. Finding some exciting attacking players may be a priority in the fans’ view, but what about the right-back position?
DeAndre Yedlin remains first choice for that role, and rightly so. The pace and threat he offers is undeniable, which is why he has remained as a prominent figure in the first team for so long. However, when you think of who is there to cover him, you would realise that signing a right-back is important.
Javier Manquillo is not good enough to provide cover, it is as simple as that. With this in mind, Newcastle would be wise to reignite their interest in Liverpool defender Nathaniel Clyne, who is currently on loan at Bournemouth.
Italian outlet Calcio Mercato credited the Magpies with an interest back in December, but obviously nothing ever advanced from it. They would be sensible to revisit it though.
It was clear before Clyne’s loan that he was not in the first team fold at Liverpool. He had no part to play in Jurgen Klopp’s plans, which is why he was farmed out to get more minutes under his belt. The 27-year-old – on £70,000-a-week (source: Spotrac) – has done that for the most part, and hopefully he gets some game time in before the end of the campaign.
Clyne is fairly similiar to Yedlin in the way that he can burst forward with his pace. However, Yedlin is not famed for being the best in his defensive duties, so what Yedlin lacks in this area, Clyne makes up for.
Rafa Benitez could hit the jackpot by setting sights on the defender in the summer, as it would get many of the fans drooling.
