Newcastle join hunt to sign dazzling wide man from PL giants – report
By Russell Edge
Newcastle are eyeing up a loan move for Manchester City youngster Patrick Roberts this summer, according to a report.
The Chronicle claim on their website that the 20-year-old winger is being viewed as a potential arrival to boost the Magpies’ squad, although they may face competition from Scottish giants Celtic.
Roberts spent 18 months on loan at Celtic Park, going on to make 60 appearances across all competitions, scoring 17 goals and notching up 21 assists, and it is said that the Hoops are interested in another move for their former loanee.
Last season saw the attacker, who can play on either flank or through the middle, turn out 47 times, hitting home 11 goals, while providing a further 19 assists for his team mates as they secured a domestic treble and went the season unbeaten.
He is also an England Under-20s international, having made nine appearances for the Young Lions, although he missed out on becoming a World Cup winner this summer to help the Hoops secure the Scottish Cup.
Football Insider verdict
Roberts appears to be a top young talent, and his lack of opportunities for first team action at Manchester City will certainly help another club this summer. However, while playing in the Premier League would be a much tougher challenge, and therefore better for his development, the Sky Blues would likely be looking to send him somewhere where a place in the starting XI, or at least the first team, would be guaranteed. That is unlikely to be the case at Newcastle, with Matt Ritchie and Rolando Aarons already joined by new arrivals Christian Atsu and Jacob Murphy this summer. Plus, he is unproven in the top flight of English football, and Newcastle are not in the business of taking risks when their safety is at question. As such, this move is likely to be a non-starter.
In other Newcastle transfer news, a striker Newcastle submitted a bid for has made his mind up regarding his future.
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