A few Newcastle United fans have been using social media to discuss Dan Barlaser’s future at St. James’ Park.
The 23-year-old has been a major part of Rotherham United’s promotion charge in League One this season, having started 21 of his 24 third-tier outings since joining the Millers on loan for the 2019/20 campaign.
Head coach Paul Warne has seen Barlaser flourish in recent weeks, too, with the 6ft midfielder involved in five goals during four of his last eight fixtures in all competitions.
Barlaser even produced his second Man of the Match performance of the term against Peterborough in December, before starting the New Year with a goal and an assist at home to Blackpool.
Rotherham are now looking strong for a place in the Championship next season with the New York Stadium side three points clear at the top of the League One table, and holding a four-point lead over third-placed Peterborough with a game in hand.
Barlaser’s performances in Warne’s promotion hopeful side have sparked Toon chiefs to sit up and pay attention, with the Chronicle reporting that club staff are set to take a fresh look at the former Turkey youth international in the summer.
Does Barlaser have a first-team future at NUFC?
Yes
No
United executives told the Gateshead-born midfielder back in 2018 that he must secure first-team experience to have any chance of a future on Tyneside, having only played three times in our senior fold, but are now more than sufficiently impressed with his efforts.
Toon chiefs are believed to feel Barlaser’s statistics suggest he deserves a closer look by first-team boss Steve Bruce and his coaching staff, while Shola Ameobi’s reports on his progress are said to be ‘unbelievable’.
Barlaser has averaged 2.0 successful tackles from 2.8 attempts per 90 minutes in League One this term, per WhoScored data, along with 1.0 interceptions, 1.4 clearances, 1.4 blocks, 0.6 shots, 0.5 successful dribbles from 0.7, 3.0 key balls and 35.9 passes (17.6 accurate short and 5.9 accurate long).
Here are some of the messages shared as fans discussed if Barlaser can break into Bruce’s Toon first-team next season…
Better than Sean Longstaff
— adam (@AdamH_27) February 9, 2020
He wouldn’t cost any money, so DEFINITELY a chance.
— ToonFan (@ToonFan14) February 9, 2020
No
— AB (@TinTin_Official) February 9, 2020
Be next to leave for nowt ?
— leigh smith (@geordieleighs) February 9, 2020
He’s better that’ll Sean Longstaff for sure
— Markansas Mag (@MarkByersJnr) February 9, 2020
Isn’t Toney playing well too? Hope we don’t let Barlaser leave like him
— Sam James (@samjdb2) February 9, 2020
In other Newcastle United news, the club are struggling to close a deal for a midfield wonderkid.