Newcastle United are reportedly hoping to take Swansea City winger Modou Barrow on loan.
According to The Chronicle, Newcastle United are looking to take Swansea City winger Modou Barrow on loan before next week’s transfer deadline.
The Magpies have yet to bring in a new face during the January transfer window, but it hasn’t harmed Rafael Benitez’s side, as Saturday’s 4-0 win over Rotherham United saw them return to the top of the Championship table ahead of Brighton and Hove Albion.
Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez celebrates with Andros Townsend
Newcastle want to stay there though, and Benitez appears to be in the market for a winger, with The Guardian recently reporting that the Magpies are pushing for a deal to bring Crystal Palace wide man Andros Townsend back to the club – just six months after selling him.
However, a deal for Townsend doesn’t look straightforward, and The Chronicle report that Newcastle are looking towards a possible alternative; Swansea City’s Modou Barrow.
Swansea City’s Modou Barrow in action with Watford’s Miguel Britos and Jose Holebas
Sky Sports claimed earlier this month that Newcastle failed with an approach for Barrow over the summer, but they’re now ready to renew their interest in the hope of taking the Gambian star on loan for the rest of the season.
Barrow, 24, joined Swansea from Swedish side Ostersunds in 2014, and has flashed some quality this season with two assists in 18 appearances, with his blistering pace particularly catching the eye in a struggling Swansea side.
Barrow – another pacey left-footed winger – appears to be Newcastle’s second-choice option in case they can’t land Townsend, but how do the pair stack up statistically based on this season’s performances? Here are some key stats from this term…
| Position | Team | Chances Created | Assists | Total Shots | Goals | Successful Dribbles | Total Crosses | Accurate Crosses | Appearances | Mins Played | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andros Townsend | MF | C. Palace | 24 | 1 | 40 | 1 | 41 | 117 | 27 | 21 | 1,378 |
| Modou Barrow | FW | Swansea | 21 | 2 | 15 | 0 | 24 | 59 | 18 | 18 | 1,149 |
In terms of chance creation, Townsend is slightly ahead of Barrow but has played almost 200 minutes more than the Swansea ace, but with just 27 of his 117 crosses (23%) being successful, he lags behind Barrow (31% success rate) in that category.
Townsend has taken almost three times as many shots as Barrow, but has scored just once this term, but he has completed 17 more dribbles than the Gambian star, whilst Barrow has one more assist than his Palace counterpart.
The two seem fairly well-matched, and whilst Townsend would be the preferred choice given his performances under Benitez last season, Barrow may be a smart target if they can’t land the Palace misfit.
Would you rather see Newcastle sign Barrow or Townsend?
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