Newcastle need a centre-back after a serious injury suffered by Florian Lejeune.
Everton are reportedly interested in landing West Ham United youngster Reece Oxford for a bargain fee of £3million with just a week left to run in the Premier League’s transfer window, but Newcastle should move.
Sky Sports claimed on the Transfer Centre (12:36, Friday) that Everton are interested in the 19-year-old defender and are preparing a £3million move, which is somewhat a bargain considering the England youth international’s pedigree.
Linked with the Premier League’s biggest sides in the past, Oxford’s development after his man-of-the-match display on his debut against Arsenal in 2015 has subsided.
But at such a small figure, he is still a huge bargain considering he impressed on loan at Borussia Monchengladbach last season loan and still has plenty of time to turn good on his potential.
Newcastle are in desperate need of a centre-back, just as much as Everton, despite the signing of Fabian Schar from Deportivo La Coruna. Florian Lejeune has suffered a cruciate ligament injury that could keep him sidelined until 2019.
It leaves Rafa Benitez with just Jamaal Lascelles, Ciaran Clark and Schar to pick from, but with owner Mike Ashley failing to provide the necessary funds for Benitez to spend – the Spaniard must scout out a bargain.
At such a low price, Ashley may be willing to sign off on the deal after paying a similar fee for Switzerland international Schar. The youngster is just the kind of defender that Newcastle require.
Everton’s reported interest should convince Newcastle to match any potential offers for West Ham’s Oxford, as Benitez scouts the market for Lejeune’s replacement.
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