Newcastle United will be short of options at left-back when Massadio Haidara and Achraf Lazaar leave, meaning they cannot let Stoke City take Paul Dummett.
Paul Dummett
Paul Dummett may not be a universal fan favourite at Newcastle United but it is clear that manager Rafael Benitez values the Welshman’s steadying influence.
The 25-year-old, who is one of the few players in recent years to emerge through the club’s academy and make his name in the first team, started 44 Championship fixtures as the Magpies seized the title.
Consequently, it appears inevitable that fellow left-backs, Achraf Lazaar and Massadio Haidara, who both failed to earn a place in Benitez’s plans last season, will be on their way this summer, The Chronicle reports.
Like Lazaar, Haidara didn’t start a league game last season
Therefore, there is a very real chance that Dummett may be the only left-back on the club’s books sooner rather than later. Needless to say, the Magpies should do everything in their power to keep him on Tyneside with The Chronicle reporting that Premier League rivals Stoke City are plotting a summer swoop.
Though interest in one of the first names on Benitez’s team-sheet may encourage the Spaniard to ramp up Newcastle’s recruitment drive.
Record claimed recently that Sporting Lisbon left-back Marvin Zeegelaar was on Newcastle’s radar after being made available for transfer by the Portuguese giants. At just £3.5 million, the uncapped Dutchman certainly represents better value for money than Kieran Gibbs.
ESPN reported recently that Arsenal’s £15 million price-tag had prevented the Magpies from making a bid.
Yet interest in Dummett only highlights Newcastle’s need for reinforcements on the left of defence.
Therefore, Zeegelaar, who played against Real Madrid and Dortmund in the Champions League last season, should be an even more attractive proposition.
Marvin Zeegelaar
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