Newcastle United might have been handed a welcome transfer boost with Jamilu Collins suffering relegation from the Bundesliga on Tuesday night.
After all, any hopes the Magpies had of luring a talented left-back to St James’ Park this summer have surely been given a shot in the arm now that Paderborn have slipped through the trap door.
A 1-0 defeat to Union Berlin sealed their fate. Though, in truth, Steffan Baumgart’s team have been as good as down since before the global health crisis emerged.
With just four wins in 32 games and 20 points all season, it felt like only a matter of time before the smallest club in Germany’s top flight saw their survival dream replaced by a cruel, crushing reality.
And if it wasn’t for players like Collins, who has really caught the eye during his first-ever Bundesliga campaign, Paderborn would have been packing their bags a lot sooner than this.
The 11-cap Nigeria international is a real bundle of energy down the left-hand side, putting up a fight against even the most fearsome opposition in a league full of explosive wingers.
Transfermarkt report that Collins had caught the eye of a Newcastle side who are in the market for a new left-back this season (yes, again).
Fulham, the Championship promotion chasers, are interested too.
And while the lack of a work permit represents a rather sizeable stumbling block (Kicker), the confirmation of Paderborn’s relegation surely paves the way for Collins to depart with just 12 months left on his contract.
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