Newcastle United’s takeover remains hanging in the balance, and the club’s recruitment staff have to work on the basis that no deal will be done.
The Magpies won’t want to wait around in the transfer market, and one new target is emerging for Steve Bruce and co.
The Daily Mail claim that Newcastle want to sign Sheffield United defender Chris Basham, but face competition from Burnley.
Basham, 32, has been a key part of Chris Wilder’s impressive Blades this season, and is being eyed up for a return to Newcastle.
The centre back was in the Newcastle youth setup having been born in nearby Hebburn, but was released at the age of 16.
We have already seen Mark Gillespie return to Newcastle having been through similar rejection at St James’ Park, and Basham spoke about his experience earlier this season.
“It’s hard when you’re 16, you get released and your dad is reading a letter saying: ‘you’re done at Newcastle now son’. It was tough to take,” Basham told Sky Sports. “It did hurt back in the day when I got released because it is a bit embarrassing in front of friends.”
“I thought I could get a contract. I was one of those young lads that were full of energy, but a bit smaller and not as developed as the other boys. I probably needed a bit more time so that’s why I think it didn’t happen,” he added.
An interesting addition to Basham’s story is that he isn’t actually a Newcastle fan. Basham actually supports Newcastle’s bitter rivals Sunderland, as he told The Star in 2017.
Should Newcastle come forward with an offer, Basham may be conflicted. Does he head back to Newcastle and seek to prove them wrong for letting him go 16 years ago? Or does his Sunderland allegiance mean he would rather forget all about the Magpies?
That’s a tough call for Basham, who faces a couple of emotional quandaries if Newcastle firm up their interest with a bid.
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