Newcastle will need to strengthen their full-back options in the summer transfer window
Feyenoord’s Givairo Read (left), Kyriani Sabbe of Club Brugge and Zakaria El Ouahdi of Genk (right)
Newcastle United will be ready to act quickly in the summer transfer window after months of planning behind the scenes. Eddie Howe and sporting director Ross Wilson know this will be a crucial summer in terms of recuirtment, with a refreshed transfer strategy in the pipeline.
It will be Wilson’s first chance to flex his muscles in his role, with the club opting not to spend in the January window, and United are expected to look at foreign markets for some under-the-radar talent.
The full-back positions were already firmly in focus, but with Kieran Trippier announcing his decision to leave at the end of the season, and speculation continuing over Tino Livramento’s future, it could be an area that requires plenty of work.
United scouts have been scouring Europe for some of the best young talent, but they will closely monitor potential Premier League moves, with experience in the top flight an attractive attribute.
Here are five full-backs they could target, from exciting prospects to more established stars.
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Ola Aina
Nottingham Forest’s Ola Aina(Image: Getty Images)
If Nottingham Forest lose their battle with relegation this season, then the big names will be heading out of the City Ground. While Elliot Anderson and Morgan Gibbs-White will dominate the headlines, full-back Ola Aina is sure to be in demand.
The Nigerian is now 29, but has a strong Premier League pedigree, having been a key member of the Forest side which challenged at the top end of the table for so long last term. What’s more, he can operate on either flank, making him an even more attractive proposition.
He may cost in the region of £15-20m and although he may not be a long-term solution, he would be a ready-made answer.
OPINION
Stuart JamiesonKyriani Sabbe
Kyriani Sabbe on international duty with Belgium
Newcastle have already watched his Club Brugge team-mate Joaquin Seys and will know all about 21-year-old Sabbe, who has established himsef as a regular on the opposite flank.
United are known to be scouring the Belgian Pro League for what they believe are value-for-money signings, and Sabbe could fit the bill. A Belgium U21 international, he has two goals and four assists for Brugge this season, and has made nine Champions League appearances.
Zakaria El Ouahdi
Zakaria El Ouahdi celebrates scoring for KRC Genk
Staying in Belgium, Genk full-back has been attracting attention with some impressive performances in the Jupiler League and in Europe. If Newcastle want an attacking full-back then the 24-year-old Moroccan international ticks all the boxes, with 11 goals to his name this term, including four in the Europa League.
Comfortable at right-back or as a wing-back, he was a target for Crystal Palace and Everton in the January transfer window, and could be set for a big move this summer.
Oscar Mingueza
Oscar Mingueza of Celta de Vigo
Spain international Mingueza would offer some welcome versatility, with the 26-year-old able to play at right or left-back or in the centre of defence. A graduate of the Barcelona academy, he played 46 times for the Catalan giants before making the switch to Celta Vigo.
Capped four times by Spain, Migueza has contributed an impressive six assists for the La Liga side as they push for another place in Europe next season.
Givairo Read
Feyenoord’s Givairo Read
Emerging Dutch talent Read has seen his season cut short by a hamstring injury which has kept him on the sidelines since November, but he remains a hot prospect in the Eredivisie. Aged just 19, he has already made 50 appearances for Feyenoord, with a remarkable 11 asists to his name.
Capped by the Netherlands U21s this season, he has a big future ahead of him, with Bayern Munich said to be keen on a deal.
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