Newcastle United will reportedly look to bolster their defensive ranks by signing highly-rated New York Red Bulls’ left-back Kemar Lawrence in the January transfer window.
The left-back slot has been a pressing concern for Newcastle head coach Steve McClaren over the first four months of the season, with Paul Dummett and Massadio Haidara struggling for form and fitness, and the Englishman is desperate for fresh defensive recruits next month.
Lawrence has caught the eye since joining the Red Bulls from lowly Jamaican side Harbour View FC in March of this year, and TEAMtalk report that the Magpies are set to rival Leicester City for the rapid full-back’s signature during the upcoming window.
The Jamaican international earned widespread plaudits for his remarkable performance against Argentina’s four time Ballon D’or winner Lionel Messi during last summer’s Copa America tournament, and the 23-year-old also played an instrumental role in the Red Bulls’ journey to the MLS Eastern Conference Championship final.
Lawrence’s unprecedented rise from obscurity over the past year has attracted interest from a number of European clubs, and Newcastle will have to act decisively if they want to lure the promising left-back to St James’ Park in January.
