EXCLUSIVE: Five Mags could leave before next Friday’s deadline as CB pursuit hinges on exits
ddie Howe suggested last week that Lewis Hall looks set to be our last first-team addition this summer, but there’s a slim chance a centre-back signs before next Friday’s 11pm deadline.
We’ve been told by a source close to the club’s recruitment team that a right-sided centre-back could yet arrive if the club manage to move on high-earning trio Ryan Fraser, Jeff Hendrick and Isaac Hayden. All three are up for sale and training away from the senior squad, as they are not in Howe’s plans and take home a combined £160-170,000 per-week.
Javier Manquillo is another who could be moved on after slipping down the pecking order following Tino Livramento’s arrival and entering the final 12 months of his contract. As we reported in June, there’s believed a gentleman’s agreement that will allow him to leave on a free if the right offer arrives. La Liga duo Getafe and Girona have both shown interest and the 29-year-old would like to seal a return to Spain.
Newcastle could also listen to offers for Matt Targett; another full-back who has seen his route to first-team minutes hampered by the imminent arrival of Lewis Hall. He arrived for £15m last January and left Aston Villa in search of regular minutes, not to mention he’s a high-earner who could create room for a late arrival if a suitable offer arrived.
Newcastle will continue to explore their options at centre-back, especially when the loan market will open up in the final week of the window. It remains a long shot, but there’s an outside chance of one late arrival if outgoings pick up and the right deal becomes available to additional cover and competition for Fabian Schar.
Our wiggle room from an FFP perspective had been boosted by moves for Karl Darlow, Jamal Lewis and Allan Saint-Maximin, but it’s been tough to move on Fraser, Hendrick and Hayden, as the clubs interested are not willing to match their current wage demands.
With Celtic showing interest in Ryan Fraser and Southampton taking a look at Isaac Hayden, hopefully we see late movement on outgoings; whether that leads to a centre-back signing or not.
