Newcastle United may have just put an end to Paul Dummett’s career at St James’ Park as claims emerge around potentially signing a new left-back.
With safety in the Premier League looking rather secure, with data analytics site FiveThirtyEight giving them just a 4% chance of relegation, you would forgive Newcastle United if they started to pay attention to what the squad is going to look like next season.
And with the wealth that they have at their disposal, they should have mostly have free rein to bring in whoever they want, and according to reports, they have turned their attention to left-back.
Who exactly has been linked?
According to noted transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, Newcastle are taking an interest in Bologna and Scotland defender Aaron Hickey.
The 19-year-old has been a regular for the Italian side this season, racking up 27 appearances for them, chipping in with four goals and one assist in Serie A, whilst he was recently rewarded with his first caps for Scotland during the last international break.
Romano claims that there are ‘other clubs’ monitoring him closely, while according to CalcioMercato, they are Celtic, Manchester City and Burnley. Elsewhere, Tuttosport (via TeamTalk) notes that Aston Villa have also shown an interest in the past.
The final nail in the coffin for Dummett?
Whilst Dummett is out of contract in the summer, there is still a chance that he might have been able to convince Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe to give him another chance heading into next season.
The club already look to be set at centre-back with the likes of Dan Burn and Fabian Schar the incumbent pair at the back, with the club also reportedly looking to add to that department in the summer, meaning that the only way Dummett, who hasn’t been a regular under Howe, could possibly make his way back into the side was at left-back.
However, if the club are set to target a left-back as well, it seems as if Newcastle are looking to move on without him in the side.
TIF Verdict…
Will Paul Dummett move on this summer?
Yes
No
Given the number of injuries that Dummett has gathered over the years, it was always going to be an uphill battle for him to earn a place in the squad, even if it was just as a rotation option that could come in for early cup games, or when the other senior players are injured or suspended.
But if the club do end up signing Hickey and with Matt Ritchie and Jamal Lewis both on the books so far for next season, it doesn’t make sense for the club to keep hold of Dummett as well.
At least with his contract expiring they won’t need to worry about finding a place for him, as that will take care of itself.
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