OPINION
Newcastle would add experience and quality in their fight against Premier League relegation during 2017-18 with the signing of Middlesbrough left-back George Friend this summer.
Friend, 29, was a regular fixture of Boro’s side last season, making 27 appearances in all competitions for the Teesside club but he could not do anything to prevent the club’s relegation.
Ladbrokes have priced Newcastle at just 9/2 to lure the left-back to Rafa Benitez’s side from Middlesbrough, but the Toon are only third in line to complete a move for the defender.
Burnley are more likely to sign Friend according to Ladbrokes’ at 7/2, but both the Clarets and Benitez’s Toon are behind Watford in the reckoning. They are favourites at 5/4 to claim his signature.
This Is Futbol analyses three reasons why Newcastle must steal in and flip the odds to sign the former Doncaster defender this summer.