Newcastle United have reportedly made Stoke City captain Ryan Shawcross their primary summer target – but signing him is easier said than done.
It was always going to be difficult for Rafael Benitez to snap up Stoke City captain Ryan Shawcross. The Independent reported recently that the Spaniard is desperate for more Premier League experience in his backline and the 29-year-old, a veteran of nine top flight seasons, appeared the ideal addition.
Yet, not only are The Telegraph reporting that the one-time England international is content with life in The Potteries, they add that Stoke are ready to tie him down to a new deal with just 12 months left to run on his current contract.
Furthermore, Newcastle are not alone in expressing their interest. The newspaper adds that a number of foreign clubs are also monitoring Shawcross’ situation very closely.
And, as he will be out of contract next summer as things stand, the former Manchester United youngster would be free to negotiate a move abroad, and sign a pre-contract agreement, as early as January.
Therefore, this is a major test of Newcastle’s ambitions ahead of their Premier League return. Manager Rafael Benitez was clearly unimpressed by the club’s lax attitude to recruitment in January and, after failing to bring in a single player, The Magpies only limped across the finishing line.
And with The Independent reporting that Benitez has headhunted Shawcross as his dream transfer target, the club’s failure to act will not help relations behind the scenes.
As it stands, Newcastle’s defence appears the weak-link heading into the top flight. Jamaal Lascelles has endured a difficult 2017, Ciaran Clark finished bottom with Aston Villa a year ago, and both Chancel Mbemba and Grant Hanley are out of favour.
Though, based on previous evidence, you would not back owner Mike Ashley bowing to Benitez’s demands.
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