Free agents and loan signings who could boost United’s squad
NEWCASTLE United can afford to cast one eye towards the summer transfer window now Steve Bruce’s side will still be a Premier League club in the 2021/22 campaign.
As such, Newcastle’s recruitment team are already hard at work trying to establish a list of targets for United in the summer transfer window, although the financial implication of another season impacted by Covid-19 will have a stark impact on spending right across the Premier League.
The Magpies will be in the market for free agents and loan signings and are keen to strengthen their defence.
New full-backs on both sides of the pitch would be seen as an upgrade, while a decision hasn’t been made on Paul Dummett and Federico Fernandez’s futures with their contracts up at the end of the season.
Florian Lejeune’s long term future at Newcastle is also unclear, despite an impressive campaign on loan at Spanish side Alaves.
As a result, Newcastle could be forced into a rebuild at centrehalf as well and with that in mind, the Sunday Sun has trawled through the best free agents that could be available to aid their cause . . .
Centre-halves
Newcastle United are known to be monitoring the 29-year-old’s situation and, following West Bromwich’s relegation to the Championship, Bartley might try his hand at free agency.
The former
Swansea
and
Leeds defender has been a mainstay in the Baggies side under Sam Allardyce at the Hawthorns and has three goals to his name this term.
Romain Saiss (Wolves)
Saiss is proven at Premier League level and has excelled with Wolves in a three-man defence. The Morocco international may be a little on the experienced side at 31 but he would be a reliable pick-up for any Premier League outfit on a short-term deal.
The Serbian international could prove to be a more exotic option on the free agency market this summer and has vast European football experience across spells with the Naples outfit, as well as Spartak Moscow, Torino and Red Star Belgrade.
The 29-year-old has struggled for regular football this season but has still managed 28 appearances across all competitions.
Bruma signed for Chelsea as a teenager and has gone on to forge a successful career for himself in European football.
A trophy-laden spell with PSV, as well as Bundesliga stints with Hamburg, Mainz, Schalke and Wolfsburg, shows he can hack it at the highest level.
The 29-year-old also has 25 Dutch caps to his name and although he has fallen out of favour with the Champions League chasing Wolves, he has the pedigree that would make him a worthwhile signing.
Aissa Mandi (Real Betis)
Mandi could be one of the most under the radar free agent pick-ups of the summer if he does not extend his stay at Real Betis.
The 29-year-old has been a mainstay in a Betis defence that has laid the foundations for qualification to European football next season and is also a 60-cap Algeria international.
Having spent five seasons in Balompe, having previously forged a career for himself with French outfit Stade Reims, Mandi could well be on the lookout for pastures new this summer.
Right-backs
Elseid Hysaj (Napoli)
agency this summer, Hysaj is perhaps the most exciting.
An Italian cup winner with Napoli, the Albanian international has spent six seasons in Naples and, at 27 years old, could be keen to embark on a new challenge.
Nathaniel Clyne (Crystal Palace)
Clyne would offer genuine Premier League experience, gathered across spells with Liverpool, Bournemouth and Palace.
Aged 30, the England international still has a few years left him in at the top level yet.
Jonas Svensson (AZ)
The experienced Norwegian international played an integral part in AZ’S unlikely Eredivisie title tilt last season.
Injuries have curtailed his progress
this term but having spent his entire career in Norway and the Netherlands, the 28-year-old could well feel the time is right for a new challenge.
Youssouf Sabaly
(Bordeaux)
The 28-year-old Senegal international has been a regular at right-back for Bordeaux across his five-year stay at the club.
The former PSG and Nantes defender has spent his entire career in Ligue 1 and could feel ripe for a change.
Emerson Royal (Real Betis)
Like Mandi, the 22-year-old Brazilian has played a key role in Betis’ European charge this term.
Yet to sign a new deal with his club, the former Barcelona prospect could be an absolute steal on a free transfer this summer.
Left-backs
Maxime Poundje (Bordeaux)
The 28-year-old has spent nine fairly successful years at Bordeaux but has since fallen out of favour this term.
He could be a gamble worth taking this summer on a free transfer.
Jetro Willems (Eintracht Frankfurt)
He is a name familiar with Newcastle fans after a successful loan spell at the club. A knee injury ended any chance of a permanent deal but he has recovered and is certain to leave the German outfit this summer.
The 27-year-old would jump at the chance to return to St James’ Park.
The 29-year-old has been a regular for Leeds at left-back this term but is yet to sign fresh terms at Elland Road.
He is set to represent North Macedonia in their first ever major championships appearance at EURO 2020 this summer.
The 31-year-old announced he was leaving Saints today and would offer genuine Premier League experience.
A Champions League winner at Chelsea and formerly in the Premier League Team of the Year, the England international will feel he still has plenty to give at the highest level.