According to The Sun, Newcastle United could make the first move to sign Oxford United defender Rob Dickie.
It’s claimed that Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion want Dickie, but it’s Newcastle who are positioning themselves to make a first bid.
Newcastle’s proposed takeover has fallen through, meaning they are now shopping for bargains – and Dickie is one on the list.
The report notes that Dickie impressed Newcastle in two FA Cup games against the Magpies last season, putting himself on Steve Bruce’s radar.
With just one year left on his Oxford contract, it’s now believed that Newcastle can land Dickie for just £2million in a bargain swoop.
Bruce allegedly wants to buy British this summer, so Dickie certainly fits that bill even though it’s a huge jump from League One to the Premier League.
Dickie, 24, struggled to break through at Reading but has starred for Oxford since a 2018 move, earning comparisons to Harry Maguire.
Newcastle do have a host of centre backs already at the club, but Federico Fernandez, Ciaran Clark and Fabian Schar are all out of contract in 2021, meaning Dickie may be seen as a cheap prospect who can eventually step up to replace an outgoing defender.
There is competition for Dickie, but Newcastle seem ready to make the first move in the hope of winning the race for his signature.
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