Max Kilman, Newcastle, Magpies, St James' Park, Premier League
Newcastle United are reportedly plotting a summer move for Wolves defender Max Kilman.
The Lowdown: Kilman profiled
The centre-back has established himself as one of the Premier League‘s most consistent performers, playing in every single minute of his team’s top-flight campaign so far, and he only missed two games last term when he was available (Transfermarkt).
Sky Sports’ Adam Bate noted how Kilman ‘pocketed‘ the great Cristiano Ronaldo when Wolves beat Manchester United last year, while broadcaster Jacqui Oatley has hailed him as ‘pure class’ and believes that he is the ‘most nationally underrated’ player in the English top flight, having not yet been capped by England at the age of 25.
The Latest: Newcastle plotting move for Kilman
As per Football Insider, Newcastle are plotting a move for Kilman this summer, but they will face stiff competition for his signature.
His contract at Molineux is not up until 2025, but Wolves might be under pressure to sell given that they look like they may be in a relegation battle this season.
The Verdict: Get it done
With Jamaal Lascelles reportedly on Nottingham Forest’s radar, Newcastle will need to sign another centre-back this summer, and Kilman would fit the bill.
Not only does he have the top-flight experience, he has been one of the standout performers not just in the Premier League but in Europe’s top five leagues, ranking in the 93rd percentile for blocks and the 84th percentile for successful take-ons and 78th for clearances per game among centre-backs over the past year (FBref).
Being left-footed, he would add a more natural balance to a centre-half pairing with the likes of Sven Botman or Fabian Schar; and sharing the same agent as Eddie Howe, this is a deal which could accelerate closer to the summer transfer window.
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