- Newcastle need additions out wide this summer
- Millwall star could be a great option
- He has helped The Lions reach the playoffs
It It will be a big summer for Newcastle United once again, as a rebuild of a depleted squad looks set to take place. In some areas, significant money will need to be spent on elite talent, while in others, more calculated risks will be required.
One of those signings should be Millwall’s £20 million-rated star, Femi Azeez, who has been crucial in ensuring The Den hosts playoff football next week. The 24-year-old has registered 19 goal contributions in the Championship this season.
He has played on either wing at various points this season, which has attracted interest from several Premier League sides — but could Eddie Howe’s club make a move if he becomes available?
Femi Azzez impressing at Millwall
Azeez has been key to The Lions’ promotion push, and supporters will hope he is the man to inspire them once more when they begin their playoff campaign against Hull City on Friday. The forward bagged a brace in the 2-0 win over Oxford United last weekend.
Reports from TEAMtalk linked the Englishman with Crystal Palace, among a host of other top-flight clubs, back in March.
The heartbeat of the Millwall side, Azeez’s direct style of play makes him a constant threat in the Championship — a skillset that could prove decisive if he makes the step up to the Premier League.
Newly promoted Ipswich Town came close to striking a deal in January for the exciting attacker, with Tractor Boys boss Kieran McKenna full of praise.
Speaking to the East Anglian Daily Times, McKenna said: “He has some really different qualities to the players that we have in the building. As I said, we had to use this window to do anything that we could to improve the squad.
“He was a player that the club thought could take us forward.”
Newcastle’s current options on the right-hand side are Anthony Elanga and Jacob Murphy, while on the left they have Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes. None of those options have consistently stood out this season, so improvements out wide could be crucial if they are to take the next step.
Whether Azeez can provide that remains to be seen. While some players have taken the step up to the Premier League in their stride, others have struggled under the weight of expectation.
Newcastle United must bolster strength in depth
There is no doubt that significant additions are needed this summer at St James’ Park. High-profile players are expected to leave, so adequate replacements will be required.
However, there are also areas where greater depth is needed to ensure the mistakes of this season are not repeated, with some squad members unable to produce the level of performance they once did.
Azeez fits that profile — not necessarily a marquee signing, but the type of player who can make a real difference to the Magpies’ hopes of winning silverware or returning to European competition.
He may not be the exact player Newcastle sign, but he represents the kind of talent available at a lower price point — players capable of producing moments of magic.
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