Newcastle United could revisit a potential move to re-sign Eintracht Frankfurt defender Jetro Willems on either a permanent or a loan deal before the window closes, according to Shields Gazette.
The Magpies are in desperate need of new additions to the squad to try and lift morale and inspire a turnaround in form. Steve Bruce’s side are under pressure after a dismal run of form in the Premier League has seen them drop back into the relegation battle. The Magpies are now considering potentially offloading one of their high earners to make room for new additions, according to Shields Gazette.
One player who could potentially be a target for them in the closing days of the window is Willems, with the Magpies considering revisiting their interest in bringing him back to St James’ Park. That comes despite Newcastle still having serious doubts over his fitness after he suffered a serious cruciate knee ligament injury while on loan with them last year.
The report added that the Magpies would need to alter Willems’ wage demands to be able to complete any move for him, a second potential obstacle to a deal being done. It has been reported that the 22-cap Netherlands international is keen on making a return to Newcastle, where he became something of a fans’ favourite last season and suggested in his farewell message on Twitter that the club will always be special to him.
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This would surely be a popular move among many supporters were Newcastle to reignite their interest in Willems, and at the moment the Magpies need to do something to try and turn around the negative atmosphere which has built up over the last few weeks as results and form have plummeted.
The Dutch defender offers the ability to drive forward in possession and add an extra attacking threat from full-back. That was demonstrated during his time at St James’ Park last season, when he registered two goals and two assists and averaged 1.1 successful dribbles per game (Sofascore). Those are much-needed qualities for Bruce’s side at the moment, with an alarming dearth of goals in recent weeks.
However, having not featured for Eintracht Frankfurt since returning to the club in the summer, it might be a risk for Newcastle to expect him to be ready to come straight into the side if they bring him back to St James’ Park. That risk could be somewhat mitigated if it was only another loan move, or if they could get him to agree to a smaller weekly wage than what he is currently earning.
