---
title: "Paul Robinson says Newcastle should only sign ‘phenomenal talent’"
canonical: "https://readnewcastle.com/2022/03/25/paul-robinson-says-newcastle-should-only-sign-phenomenal-talent/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Crippy Cooke"
section: "Feature Writers"
published: "2022-03-25T18:03:57Z"
modified: "2022-03-25T18:03:58Z"
---

# Paul Robinson says Newcastle should only sign ‘phenomenal talent’

Newcastle United’s defensive record has left a lot to be desired this season, with the Magpies sitting are 17th in the [Premier League](https://www.whoscored.com/Regions/252/Tournaments/2/England-Premier-League) for goals conceded (49) and joint-17th for clean sheets (4).

Federico [Fernandez](https://readnewcastle.com/2022/03/16/writing-on-wall-for-federico-fernandez-at-newcastle-united/) has been short of playing time under Eddie Howe, so he could be on the move this summer. Ciaran [Clark](https://readnewcastle.com/2022/03/16/its-over-for-ciaran-clark-at-newcastle-united/) was dropped from Newcastle’s 25-man Premier League squad, so he’s also expected to leave in the coming months.

That may leave a void for a new signing to fill, and Paul Robinson believes Eddie Howe should only target a ‘phenomenal talent’ when bolstering his backline over the summer.

Newcastle tried to sign Diego [Carlos](https://readnewcastle.com/2022/01/26/fans-on-social-media-blast-silly-decision-as-newcastle-are-dealt-diego-carlos-transfer-blow/) from Sevilla and Sven [Botman](https://www.msn.com/en-gb/sport/football/journalist-says-newcastle-could-suffer-transfer-blow-over-botman/ar-AAV7Ejv) from LOSC Lille in January without success and have since been linked with Everton’s Ben [Godfrey](https://readnewcastle.com/2022/03/21/noel-whelan-questions-why-newcastle-united-want-inconsistent-ben-godfrey/) and Liverpool’s Joe [Gomez](https://readnewcastle.com/2022/03/22/noel-whelan-says-newcastle-should-sign-consistent-joe-gomez-over-ben-godfrey/).

Robinson suggests they should aim high, telling [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/jamaal-lascelles-on-borrowed-time-at-newcastle-united-after-sources-transfer-update-pundit/): “There is talent in the Championship and there are gems to be had but I think Newcastle should be shopping Europe’s top leagues.

“Money is not a problem for them so why should in the Championship unless it’s for a phenomenal talent. Newcastle want to be competing for the best players in Europe.”

Dan Burn has looked a brilliant acquisition from Brighton & Hove Albion, so Newcastle won’t be put off making a domestic signing. Jamaal Lascelles was a gem from the Championship years ago, but he has an [uncertain future](https://readnewcastle.com/2022/03/25/paul-robinson-says-poor-jamaal-lascelles-is-not-good-enough/) at St James Park now.

Newcastle have lucrative funds at their disposal and want to make signings that make statements, so they’re likely to aim very high in the summer transfer window.

***[In other news, Paul Robinson says ‘poor’ Jamaal Lascelles is ‘not good enough’](https://readnewcastle.com/2022/03/25/paul-robinson-says-poor-jamaal-lascelles-is-not-good-enough/)***