Mills mocks ‘mercenaries’ signing for Newcastle as six targets reported
Danny Mills has questioned why Jesse Lingard, Ross Barkley, James Tarkowski, Kieran Trippier and Harry Winks would sign for Newcastle United in the January transfer window.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Middlesbrough and England defender suggested Newcastle will struggle to recruit the right sort of player next month.
The Telegraph reported yesterday (2 December) the quintet – who have all been capped by England – have been discussed internally and are targets.
Liverpool’s Nat Phillips is also reportedly a target for Eddie Howe.
It comes after Football Insider revealed last month (23 November) the northeast giants are planning to only make loan signings in the upcoming window.
Asked for his verdict on the potential deals, Mills told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley: “Why would they go there?
He added: “If it’s purely for money are they going to dig in and fight for the cause when they’ve got their money?
“If it’s a short-term deal they’ll think ‘I’m not sure about this, this is not what I signed up for’.
“You can have as many targets as you want but getting them there is a different thing.
“You can say you’ve got all this money and you’re going to bring in players. What sort of players are you going to bring in? Are you just going to get players that are coming in purely for money? Other clubs know you’re desperate.
“If you’re going to get mercenary players who are going to have the right attitude to dig you out of a hole? Do they have the fighting spirit and the right character when things aren’t going so well?
“If you get the right players in on loan will you want to keep them at the end of the season? If they know that, are they going to want to come? Who wants to go into a relegation battle? It’s a difficult situation.
“If you’ve got money and are towards the top then every player is going to be desperate to join you.
“If they are only going there because the money is good are they the right sort of players? Are they the right sort of characters? I’m not convinced that you are.”
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