Leicester City captain Wes Morgan is the latest defender linked with Newcastle United after previous speculation surrounding Stoke City’s Ryan Shawcross.
With Rafael Benitez hoping to make Newcastle United’s return to the Premier League as smooth a transition as possible, it is little surprise that The Independent claims he wants defenders with top level experience under their belts.
After all, the 18 Premier League appearances made by club captain Jamaal Lascelles pale into insignificance compared to the 289 made by the club’s top summer target – Stoke City centre-back Ryan Shawcross.
However, despite the fact the one-time England international has just a year remaining on his current contract at the Bet 365 Stadium, The Magpies always appeared to be fighting a losing battle attempting to lure him to St James’ Park.
The Telegraph reported recently that Stoke are hoping to extend Shawcross’ ten-year stay at the club by offering him a contract extension. And the rock-solid centre-back is supposedly relaxed about the situation and more than willing to put pen to paper at The Potteries.
Are you Shaw?
Therefore, perhaps this explains shock reports in The Sun that Newcastle are plotting a move for Leicester City skipper Wes Morgan. A Premier League champion 12 months ago, the newspaper claims that The Magpies will make a bid sooner rather than later despite the 33-year-old only inking a three-year contract at the King Power last July.
Despite his advancing years, and the fact that owner Mike Ashley’s transfer policy revolves around prioritising youth, Morgan would appear the ideal short-term solution for Newcastle.
Question marks have been asked about Lascelles’ leadership ability this season, so Captain Morgan could act as an essential steadying influence. He is, after all, one of only 13 skippers to thrust the Premier League trophy into the spring air.
And if Newcastle’s hopes of signing Shawcross were a little ambitious previously, turning their attention to Leicester’s captain, leader, legend suggests they have accepted that the deal is dead.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
