OPINION
After weeks of uncertainty, it would appear that Newcastle United have finally come to a decision over the future of one of their biggest names.
Yes, Mo Diame is set to leave the club this summer, as reported by the Chronicle.
Rafa who?
The Senegalese international’s departure will leave a void in the squad that will definitely need filling during the current transfer window, especially with other midfield options also in precarious positions.
Isaac Hayden has made it very clear that he wishes to leave the club to be nearer to his family, and Jonjo Shelvey is understood to be a target for West Ham, as reported by the Northern Echo.
A new midfielder is needed, therefore, and the Chronicle have drawn up a list of potential candidates for the role on Tyneside.
One name really stands out though: Khedira.
Not Sami – World Cup winner and one-time Real Madrid Galactico – but his younger brother, Rani.
The 25-year-old is currently plying his trade at FC Augsburg in the Bundesliga, but he could be the perfect player to help solve the Magpies’ looming midfield issue.
At 6’2″, he provides the same raw physicality as Diame does in the centre of the park, but his tendency to err on the side of caution would make him a more solid figure to screen the back four.
With Hayden looking to leave as well, that would mean Khedira could be the signing to kill two birds with one stone.
When he does get going, however, Khedira can mix it. His dribble and pass completion ratios stand at 77 and 85% respectively, and that kind of quality could be the missing ingredient needed to help turn Newcastle into a top half team.
Snapping up Khedira would surely be a real coup.