Middlesbrough are beginning to take a keen interest in the availability of Newcastle United defender Jamal Lewis as boss Chris Wilder and his recruitment team eye summer transfers.
That’s according to TEAMtalk, who note Boro have convened to start discussions over their off-season plans. The Teesside outfit are in contention to earn promotion into the Premier League this season, with the club seventh in the Championship standings after 39 games.
Wilder’s men are just two points from the play-off positions, and have a game in hand over Sheffield United, too. Huddersfield are also only four points from Boro in third, having also played once more like Luton in fourth. Boro will face 20th-place Hull this Saturday, as well.
So, with top-flight football possibly returning to the Riverside for the first time since 2017, Wilder is eager to strengthen. And Middlesbrough believe Newcastle could offer a market worth exploring over the off-season, with exits on the cards at St James’ Park like for Lewis.
But as the 24-year-old remains under contract until 2025 on the £38k-a-week deal signed on arrival from Norwich for £15m in 2020, Boro feel a loan move for Lewis is more realistic. A temporary deal would also suit the Riverside hierarchy’s current outlook for the market.
Middlesbrough taking keen interest in loan for Newcastle outcast Jamal Lewis
Middlesbrough will likely need to secure Premier League football to entice Lewis to accept a transfer from Newcastle. Even though the left-back has not played under Eddie Howe since his sixth outing of the season in December, having not made their Premier League squad.
Lewis snubbed the chance to step down to the Championship in January before Howe then omitted the defender. The Daily Mail reported Birmingham explored a deal on deadline day. But the Northern Ireland international opted to reject a last-ditch switch to the Second City.
He may regret that decision now, as TEAMtalk recently cited Lewis as one of several senior players Newcastle will look to offload this summer. The Toon are also open to offers for Emil Krafth, Matt Ritchie, Miguel Almiron, Dwight Gayle, Federico Fernandez and Ciaran Clark.
Lewis has been disappointing for Newcastle since leaving Norwich under Steve Bruce. He has so far made just 32 appearances and laid on one assist. He also lost his place to Ritchie last term and now Matt Targett, despite Daniel Farke once claiming he can create ‘magic’.
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