- Newcastle United plot centre-back transfer
- West Ham relegation could mean players depart
- Ex Arsenal man has stepped up to the plate
Newcastle United will want to add numbers to their squad again this summer, with recent updates regarding incoming and outgoing players being released. However, a centre back should be high on their agenda with injuries to Sven Botman and Fabian Schar continuing to cause a headache.
A great additional option that could be a solid pickup for the Black and Whites is West Ham defender Konstantinos Mavropanos, who has excelled at the Hammers in recent weeks as they battle against relegation.
This summer, the 28-year-old will have two years left on his deal at the London Stadium, and if they were to drop down to the Championship, a deal could be sanctioned.
Newcastle United prioritise defensive transfer
The Magpies completed the signing of Malick Thiaw from AC Milan last summer, and he has settled in extremely well at the club, unlike the majority of their other signings.
However, his partner hasn’t always been concrete. Over the weekend, Botman was alongside him, but his performances this season have been unstable, and his own injury problems have persisted.
Dan Burn has also been alongside him on several occasions, but the soon-to-be 34-year-old hasn’t been the most reliable option when called upon, the same for Fabian Schar, who has been out for months with an injury.
Eddie Howe’s team have been notorious for defending well and hitting teams on quick counter attacks, but have failed miserably at delivering on that this season. Their lack of a consistent figure alongside Thiaw is a cause of concern.
Mavropanos is a viable option for all the right reasons, and if he is available at a cut price this summer, it would be a smart move made by the board to either make the starting XI or add quality depth.
Mavropanos delivering for West Ham
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are in a dogfight at the bottom of the league; however, a win against Crystal Palace this evening will give them some leverage.
The 28-year-old has been key to some recent results, scoring three goals in his last three games, as the Hammers have picked up four points, which pulled them out of the drop zone.
It’s not just the attacking numbers he’s executed, with his defensive contributions highly efficient too. His performance at home against Manchester City was special in earning a valuable point, and he has shown this form for a handful of months at this stage.
| Konstantinos Mavropanos VS Man City | Stats |
|---|---|
| Minutes played | 90 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Defensive contributions | 21 |
| Tackles won/Tackles committed | 2/3 |
| Clearances | 10 |
| Ground duels won | 3 |
| Interceptions | 4 |
| Dribbled past | 0 |
Newcastle have lacked players ready to step up this season. Mavropanos has shown he has the minerals to do just that, even when the odds are stacked against him.
In other news, Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer drops Eddie Howe sack bombshell.
