NUFC enter three-way tussle to sign £11m West Brom star - Report
According to the Daily Mail, Newcastle have 'shown interest' in West Brom's Matt Phillips - but we're said to be facing competition from Cardiff and Middlesbrough for the £11m-rated winger.
The 27-year-old is one of several players who West Brom may be forced to cash in on following relegation to the Championship and he's not the first one we've been linked with this summer.
Benitez has been credited with interest in Baggies teammates Salomon Rondon and Craig Dawson on several occasions this summer, but the Daily Mail now reckon we're 'showing interest' in Phillips.
Here's a snippet from their story today on our alleged interest:
'West Brom winger Matt Phillips is at the centre of a three-way fight for his signature ahead of the new season.
'Cardiff are showing a serious interest in the attacker and are plotting an £11million move.
'But Newcastle are also showing an interest in the Scotland international, whose future is in doubt following the Baggies' relegation last season.'
If he was signed as a back-up option out wide then I'd be happy, but I'd be quite concerned if he arrived as Ritchie's replacement - with Townsend a superior option if we're serious about improving our first-team this summer.
He has 11 goals and 21 assists in 109 Premier League appearances, having bagged 5 goals and 9 assists in 2016/17, followed by a disappointing tally of 3 goals and 3 assists last season.
He's direct, powerful and very hard to deal with on his day, but he does lack consistency.
Could Benitez bring out the best in him or would you steer clear?
