Newcastle in battle for 20-year-old PL attacker – report

Wed 21 June 2017 18:35, UK

By Harvey Byrne

Newcastle are in a battle with Premier League rivals Burnley for Liverpool attacker Sheyi Ojo, according to a report.

The Mirror have claimed on their transfer centre blog (Wednesday, 4.39pm) that both the Magpies and the Clarets are competing to take the 20-year-old left-winger on loan.

It is detailed that the pacey attacker is facing a struggle for first team opportunities in the next campaign at Liverpool after playing just twice in the FA Cup for Jurgen Klopp’s side last season.

This has led to both Newcastle and Burnley registering their interest in Ojo, who was part of the England Under-20s team that lifted the World Cup in South Korea earlier in the month.

Manager Rafa Benitez will be looking for summer recruits who he feels can help the club to Premier League safety next season and he may look for a favour from his former club in acquiring Ojo on a temporary basis.

He has already signed Christian Atsu on a permanent deal from Chelsea after a successful loan spell last season and he may look for a similar deal for Ojo, who has three years remaining on his contract at Anfield.

Football Insider verdict:

Ojo is very much unproven in the Premier League with just eight top-flight appearances to his name so far in his career. This would mean he would certainly pose a risky signing for Newcastle as they aim for safety. However, Ojo has shown in the Championship that he has a bright future ahead of him and Magpies fans may also be keen to see the club look to the future and bring in a player of Ojo’s ilk. But, that would also depend on the deal and if Newcastle can organise a permanent one then he is definitely worth going for this summer.