Ronald Koeman will allow Gareth Barry to leave Everton – would he be a good fit at Newcastle?
Everton manager Ronald Koeman has admitted that Gareth Barry could leave the club this summer after falling down the pecking order for a place in central midfield.
Barry was not even on the bench for the Premier League opener against Stoke City and having entered the final year of his current contract at Goodison Park, could be on his way out.
Gareth Barry of Everton during a pre-season friendly against Sevilla.
“Gareth is a great professional and I’m happy if he will stay but if he will like to move, OK, we will see what happens. I don’t know,” Koeman told the Liverpool Echo.
So with it looking like Barry is available to sign, should Newcastle United consider a move for the veteran to give them some much needed experience in central midfield?
The Magpies marked their return to the English top flight with a 2-0 home defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in a game in which Jonjo Shelvey was shown a straight red card.
Shelvey does have experience at top tier level, but is now suspended for three matches, while Isaac Hayden and Mikel Merino don’t and Jack Colback and Mohamed Diame are arguably no longer good enough to compete.
Referee Andre Marriner shows a red card to Jonjo Shelvey of Newcastle United.
It is why the Sun have linked Newcastle with a move for out-of-favour Arsenal star Jack Wilshere, but as a short-term solution for a season could Barry be just what they need?
After all, only Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs has more appearances in the division than the 36-year-old and with his defensive nous in the centre of the park and leadership qualities, he could play a big part in keeping the North East side clear of relegation.
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