Newcastle United addressed one of its biggest needs with the arrival of midfielder Aladji Bamba from Monaco, but the Magpies’ summer business is far from complete.
The Monaco youngster is Newcastle’s fourth senior signing of the window and should be good enough to at least compete for XI minutes from day one. Now, attention turns to Ross Wilson and how he must strengthen two other prominent positions before the Premier League opener against Liverpool.
According to Chronicle Live’s Sean McCormick, Newcastle’s
next step should be geared toward signing a new goalkeeper and adding depth at full-back.
McCormick identified both full-back positions as the next major area of concern, with right-back Tino Livramento and left-back Lewis Hall currently the only senior options available in Eddie Howe’s squad entering the preseason.
“Ideally, right-back and left-back cover would be signed, but it is more likely that a right-back who can play left-back will be sought to offer cover for both sides,” McCormick reported.
Meanwhile, landing a goalkeeper remains the other pressing priority despite the arrival of Ewen Jaouen from Stade de Reims after spending the last two seasons on loan at Rodez and Dunkerque, both France’s second-flight division clubs.
With Jaouen’s senior experience limited, to say the least, and Nick Pope’s aging and lack of top-level performances hurting his future at the club, it’s obvious Newcastle needs a new, bona fide No. 1 in net for next season and beyond.
As reported earlier this month, the Magpies have moved on from their preferred target in Man City’s James Trafford because of the club’s valuation of the England international.
Per McCormick, Newcastle is looking into Freiburg goalkeeper Noah Atubolu, though no approach has been made yet. Meanwhile, Parma’s Zion Suzuki remains among the names under consideration.
