Many Newcastle United fans have been discussing which area of the team needs to be strengthened the most in the January market, amid reports linking the club with a double raid on Everton.
According to the Northern Echo, while head coach Steve Bruce has attempted to reduce the expectations of vast spending occurring next month, the Toon hierarchy are hoping they can pull off a swoop on the Toffees to land Mason Holgate and Lewis Gibson.
Bruce and the transfer department at St. James’ Park have scouted players for various positions ahead of the winter window, with a large amount of time invested into monitoring Holgate’s situation at Goodison Park.
Everton value the 23-year-old at £14million and are reluctant to lose the centre-back as they are short on defensive numbers, but Newcastle are ready to make a bid after deeming Holgate’s versatility to be a major asset.
The former England U21 international is at home at right-back as he is in the heart of the backline, and showed that he can step into midfield if needed with his performance against Manchester United last weekend.
Holgate played 22 of his 24 games while on loan with West Bromwich Albion for the latter half of last season at right-back, and registered two shots, 17 accurate passes, one dribble, won two aerial duels and his sole tackle at Old Trafford on Sunday, per WhoScored data.
Along with the Doncaster-born Barnsley-product, Toon chiefs are keen to re-sign Gibson, having sold the youngster to Everton for £6million in 2017 after he grew unsettled in our youth set-up.
What area needs strengthening the most?
Goalkeeper
Defence
Midfield
Attack
Gibson is yet to make a senior appearance for the Toffees, but has featured for their U23s on 34 occasions and captained the side as they clinched a Premier League 2 and Premier League Cup double last season.
Here are some of the messages shared as fans discussed which area of the squad needs to be strengthened the most in January…
Need a goalscorer, highest priority
— Kyle Jones (@kylejones002) December 17, 2019
Our midfield is the problem plain and simple… there’s no real creation to link the attack and defence. The cabaye figure is missing there’s no point blaming our front 3 if they’re trying to attack after defending. Too long have we relied on hoofing the ball up the pitch..
— Anth Sloan (@AnthonySloan2) December 17, 2019
Anyone who thinks we need a center midfield is clueless, we need a striker who can finish chances, Bowen would be great as it would put pressure on almiron and saint max to assist/score,
— Sleeping Giant (@SleepingGiantFC) December 17, 2019
9/17 goals from defenders. 3 games this season w no shots on goal. We need attackers more than we need defense.
— Your Lefty Uncle (@flowmanuga) December 17, 2019
I’m baffled at these comments. If you look at our team and don’t see a striker as an absolute priority but think we need another CM, you are clueless in my opinion and this is from someone who is willing to listen to anyone’s views as long as they’re within reality.
— Lennon Campbell (@CampbellLennon) December 17, 2019
I think we need a decent holding mid not a ball playing mid. And defense other than right wing back we are probably good enough for our position.
— Shane Fagan (@shanefagan) December 17, 2019
Holgate improves our back 5 straight away. Sign bowen and Morelos from rangers and al he well happy and maybe a proper cdm but that all prob to much to ask for.
— Dean Dodds (@doddsy1991) December 17, 2019
Striker and Ball Winning Midfielder for me (i understand Wanyama is available for £10m?) #nufc
— Andrew Neill (@andrewsneill) December 17, 2019
In other Newcastle United news, the club are set to pull the plug on our pursuit of a 5 ft 8 star.