OPINION
Newcastle United must do everything in their power to sign Fulham’s Ryan Fredericks in the summer as the talented defender could be the biggest bargain of the window.
The Sun reported on Wednesday that Arsenal have joined the race for the 25-year-old’s signature, alongside West Ham, as the right-back could be available for free at the end of the season.
The newspaper claim that Fredericks is yet to agree a new deal with Fulham, despite his current contract expiring at the end of June.
The 25-year-old has been in sensational form this season, and is one of the reasons why the Cottagers could still win promotion from the Championship this season.
Fredericks has made 42 appearance for Fulham this season, and was named in the PFA’s Championship Team of the Year as reported by the BBC.
If the Cottagers fail to secure a place in the Premier League next season, it’s clear that the 25-year-old would jump at the opportunity to join a club in the top-flight if one made him an offer.
The Magpies should be the side to come in and pluck him out of the Championship, if Fulham fail in their quest to reach the Premier League.
Fredericks has blistering pace and has the ability to play clever passes in order to help his side go on the attack.
Rafa Benitez’s side have already benefited this season from having a talented left-back capable of bursting down the wing and providing excellent crosses, in the form of Kenedy.
However while the Magpies’ current option at right-back, DeAndre Yedlin has bags of pace, his crossing in particular needs a lot of work.
Fredericks could easily replace Yedlin in the Magpies’ team next season, and create goalscoring opportunities for his new teammates.
The 25-year-old demon has grabbed nine assists in 42 outings this season for Fulham, and could easily use his pace to get even more in the Premier League for the Magpies during the next campaign.
Therefore given Fredericks’ talent and how it could potentially make a positive impact at St James’ Park, the Magpies should go all out to get his signature in the summer.