The Chronicle’s Newcastle editor Aaron Stokes has played down the chances of Newcastle United moving for James Ward-Prowse – but didn’t totally rule out Eddie Howe buying a midfielder this summer.
The journalist was speaking on the Everything is Black and White podcast, discussing the Magpies’ summer transfer plans, and highlighted the need for upgrades in other areas as opposed to the engine room.
According to the Daily Mirror, The Toon are ‘admirers’ of Ward-Prowse, but with eight centre-midfielders already at the club including Joelinton, Stokes believes the club should be targeting other parts of the squad.
In defence, Sven Botman has been identified, while the St James’ Park outfit are working on bringing in Hugo Ekitike up front, while Stokes has stressed that those positions remain the club’s priorities this summer.
Will Ekitike join Newcastle?Yes!
No!
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Responding to the idea of bringing in the Southampton midfielder this summer, he said: “The priorities this summer are elsewhere; they want a striker, they want a centre-back and that midfield is already bloated.
“It feels like this transfer window’s been going on for months and it’s only been open a couple of days, so [with] how quick things move, it wouldn’t surprise me if they did buy a centre-midfielder, but I think before that happens, they need a striker and they need a top-quality centre-half.”
TIF Thoughts on Newcastle’s transfers…
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Issac Hayden will spend next season on loan at Norwich City, having played just four times under Eddie Howe at St James’ Park since his appointment back in November, but the Tynesiders would surely have to shift more deadwood from their squad – particularly in midfield – before they can bring in new faces.
Jeff Hendrick and Matty Longstaff are both set to return from respective loan spells at Queens Park Ranges and Mansfield Town, only further adding to Howe’s bloated squad.
The whole squad could perhaps do with a trim, as Matt Ritchie, Jamal Lewis, Ciaran Clark, Federico Fernandez and Dwight Gayle were all used seven times or fewer by the English coach, meaning they are perhaps likely to be in the shop window, and maybe then will Newcastle’s needs become clearer. For now, it does seem that the transfer of Ward-Prowse does seem like a stretch.