Newcastle United are expected to be busy this summer.
Newcastle United’s transfer priority this summer should be adding experience to their squad with the majority of their first-team squad under the age of 30.
Only goalkeeper Rob Elliot, out-of-favour defender Jesus Gamez and midfielder Mo Diame are in their thirties, with Gamez expected to leave St. James’ Park this summer.
Captain Jamaal Lascelles is still only 24 years of age, and adding a player who knows the Premier League inside out should be Rafa Benitez’s first port of call this summer.
It should see the former Chelsea manager look to link up with ex-Blues defender Branislav Ivanovic this summer, who at 34 still has plenty of time left in professional football.
The versatile defender worked with Benitez during the Spaniard’s sole season at Stamford Bridge during the 2012-13 campaign, where 102-time Serbia international Ivanovic was a key member of Benitez’s side.
Now with Zenit St. Petersburg, Ivanovic has once again shown his quality – and that age is just a number – with five goals in 38 league and cup appearances for the Russian giants.
Adding a player of Ivanovic’s calibre would be key to the Toon’s aims of finishing in the top half of the Premier League table next time around, as well as being able to offer cover at centre-back and on the right side of the defence.
His aerial prowess, in defence and attack, would also offer another source of goals to Newcastle’s play in what would be another welcome dimension on Tyneside after Newcastle managed just 39 goals in 38 games.
With only a year left on Ivanovic’s current deal, Zenit could be tempted to sell this summer in order to avoid losing their talismanic centre-back on a free next summer and he would be the ideal summer addition at Newcastle.
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