Is it sensible planning from Newcastle as deal for Crystal Palace’s Pape Souare edges closer

Follow us on Google Discover

Newcastle United look to have missed out on Chelsea’s Kenedy but are reportedly set to sign Pape Souare from Premier League rivals Crystal Palace.

For the second time in a few months, Newcastle United’s attempts to sign Kenedy from Chelsea have come to nothing.

The Brazilian left-back was close to moving to Tyneside on loan in the summer, only for the Premier League champions to back out of a deal as they failed to sign a replacement.

And the Northern Echo now states that Newcastle’s hopes of finally bringing Kenedy to St James’ Park look over once more, with no other player in Chelsea’s squad capable of providing back-up to Marcos Alonso.

Yet while Newcastle fans will have their heads in their hands again, as yet another top target slips through their grasp, the Magpies at least deserve some credit for reacting quickly and decisively in stepping up their pursuit of an alternative.

According to The Sun (15^th January, page 52), Newcastle are closing in on a deal to sign Pape Souare on loan from Crystal Palace, with the possibility of a permanent deal if he impresses Rafa Benitez between now and the end of the season.

Palace have enough options at left-back, including Jeffrey Schlupp, Patrick Van Aanholt and Jairo Riedewald, and therefore seemingly have no concerns in letting a player leave for a relegation rival.

And while Souare is far older, and arguably less exciting, than Kenedy, at least his arrival would show some degree of planning from Newcastle.

They have missed out on one target and, just a few hours later, look set to land their first-choice alternative with the added bonus of a permanent deal somewhere down the line.