Newcastle need to get rid of some of their fringe players with Rafa Benitez hoping to deal with Scottish and Championship clubs.
There is just a week left for Newcastle United to get some of their fringe players off the books, at least on a temporary basis. And it seems that Rafa Benitez is hoping for a busy couple of days in the transfer market.
The Chronicle reports that four members of Newcastle’s second string could be plying their trade elsewhere by September – Sean Longstaff, Achraf Lazaar, Jamie Sterry and goalkeeper Freddie Woodman.
The aforementioned quartet all spent time away from St James’ Park last season and could be on their way out again.
The highly-rated Woodman is seen by some as Newcastle’s future number one but Martin Dubravka has that position nailed down in the present. The Chronicle claims that clubs north of the border are interested after the England U21 international’s impressive spell at Aberdeen last season.
Celtic were keen in January, as reported by the Daily Record, and it will be interesting to see if they make a move again.
Goalscoring midfielder Longstaff and full-back Sterry could also be on their way to the Football League. Portsmouth are very interested in the former while the latter is a target for a number of other League One clubs.
Moroccan international Lazaar, however, somehow remains at Newcastle and the report claims that they have offered him to clubs in France and the Championship and would even be willing to contribute to his wages.
Genoa had hoped to sign Lazaar this month but he’s been left in limbo after the deal collapsed.