Newcastle won’t prioritize signing a left-back this summer

According to The Ahtletic’s Chris Waugh, in a Q&A published on May 7, Newcastle is unlikely to sign a through-and-through left-back this upcoming summer.

That said, Waugh revealed that the Magpies will explore the possibility of signing one or more “versatile defenders.”

Lloyd Kelly, currently at Bournemouth and familiar with Newcastle’s manager Eddie Howe, will be available on a free transfer and has caught the interest of Newcastle, according to Waugh.

Kelly can play both as a central defender and a left-back, making him a suitable target for Newcastle considering the availability and the many long-term injured players in that strata of the field ahead of next season.

Howe himself has said that bolstering the left-back position is not an immediate priority for the club, teasing the focus will be on adding at least one forward and a central defender, along with a new goalkeeper. Despite concerns about current left-back options, Howe seems to be satisfied with the existing members of the squad.

Waugh mentions Dan Burn, primarily a center-back turned left-back, as well as the young and promising Lewis Hall as Howe’s main options and models that NUFC will try to build their search around next summer.

The club also has other makeshift-but-flexible options in the likes of Tino Livramento, Kieran Trippier, and Jacob Murphy, who can operate on the left flank, as well as right-back Emil Krafth in case of emergency.

On the sales front, Waugh named Elliot Anderson as a potential player getting sold to comply with PSR regulations, although the beat reporter made clear that, as of now, there is no current desire to sell Anderson as he’s considered a promising academy product. That is, obviously, despite the financial benefits his sale could provide as a homegrown player.

At the time of his post, however, the departure of Anderson would be a surprise.

The future of Newcastle’s midfield remains speculative at best, though. Particularly regarding potential replacements should Bruno Guimaraes depart, Waugh name-dropped Morgan Gibbs-White of Nottingham Forest as someone Newcastle has admired for a long time.

That being said, Waugh thinks that NUFC does not see his skill set as a one-for-one replacement in case of Bruno's departure. The club’s strategy, according to Waugh, might involve adjusting Sandro Tonali’s position rather than seeking a direct replacement depending on the account balancing this summer.