Newcastle United are ‘still exploring’ one loan deal before the 11pm transfer deadline, with three players named as potential candidates by Daily Mail journalist Craig Hope.
The Lowdown: Newcastle’s injuries
Despite having added four quality signings to their squad this summer, the Magpies may be forced into the transfer market on deadline day amid injury concerns.
Right-back Emil Krafth has confirmed he has suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury and will miss ‘several months’ recovering from the surgery.
Striker Callum Wilson is expected to be out of action for a couple of weeks with a hamstring issue, whilst midfielder Jonjo Shelvey is not expected back until November with a more serious strain of the injury.
Star players Bruno Guimaraes and Allan Saint-Maximin have also been side-lined recently, but their returns are expected reasonably soon.
The Latest: Hope’s news
Hope has now shared news of Newcastle being in the market for a loan addition before tonight’s transfer deadline.
Name-dropping three players, it appears the Magpies are focusing on bringing in a midfielder and a replacement for Krafth.
Taking to Twitter, the reliable journalist claimed:
“Newcastle still exploring potentially one loan deal. Calls made this week re Arsenal’s Ainsley Maitland-Niles & Juventus midfielder Denis Zakaria, although told that isn’t happening. West Ham defender Harrison Ashby also still on radar. #nufc”
The Verdict: Strong additions
Given his wealth of experience playing in the Premier League, Europa League and Serie A, Arsenal’s Maitland-Niles would be a great addition to Eddie Howe’s midfield.
The same can be said for Zakaria, who has played the majority of his football in the Bundesliga, having also featured in the Champions League.
As per FBRef, compared with positional peers across Europe over the past year, Maitland-Niles ranks in the 96th percentile for blocks and in the 86th percentile for pressures, whilst Zakaria comes in at the 92nd percentile for blocks and in the 82nd percentile for interceptions and dribbles completed.
Looking at defenders, Ashby has been tipped for a bright future after bagging two goals and eight assists in 31 Premier League 2 appearances as a right-back.
The 20-year-old’s contract with the Irons was set to expire this summer but the club activated a one-year extension in his deal as they were reluctant to let their starlet leave for nothing.
Taking this all into account, all three players would improve Howe’s squad, but it may be that Maitland-Niles' ability to play in several positions makes him the prime candidate.