Fabrizio Romano: Newcastle keen on Liverpool talent - “It’s a possibility”

It’s no secret that Newcastle United have identified four key positions to strengthen in order to compete in both next season’s Premier League and whatever European football competition we qualify for.

From a new goalkeeper to a highly-sought right winger, there’s an expectation that we’ll also bring in a new striker and right sided centre back in the summer.

And whilst some fresh faces like Dean Huijsen have been linked with a move, there’s the possibility we return to a previous transfer target who we’ve been tipped to in recent windows.

Romano: Toon still keen on Liverpool talent

According to Fabrizio Romano, there’s still a chance that we make a move for Liverpool and England defender Jarell Quansah in the summer.

Writing in his GIVEMESPORT newsletter, Romano reveals that whilst the Premier League champions aren’t actively looking to offload the youngster, they may act if one of the interested parties, such as us, make the right offer.

“It’s a possibility. It’s not Liverpool trying to sell him but the player attracting interest with Newcastle and German clubs keen,” he said.

Quansah was at the centre of a controversial swap deal between us and Arne Slot’s side last summer that ultimately never came to fruition.

Whilst we offered Anthony Gordon to Liverpool, we had hoped to get Quansah in return, before Liverpool negotiated Joe Gomez to go in Quansah’s place instead.

However, a mistake-laden season for the 22-year-old, including an own goal and penalty given away against Chelsea on Sunday afternoon, has seen him sit firmly behind Ibrahima Konate and Virgil Van Dijk in the defensive hierarchy in Merseyside.

The right move for Newcastle?

On the surface, Quansah a few boxes for us: young, English, boasting Premier League and European football experience, and shouldn’t cost an extraordinary fee.

But are we perhaps wiser to pursue a move for a defender who we view as having more pedigree or potential in Marc Guehi or Dean Huijsen?

Both have broken into their respective national teams in recent times, are roughly the same age as Quansah, and have eclipsed the Liverpool defender  in terms of impact on the pitch.

Huijsen, who only signed for Bournemouth in the summer, has already matched Quansah for total Premier League appearances with 29 each.

Though Eddie Howe, as we all know by now, is a man notorious for transforming players lacking confidence and consistency into absolute world beaters: just what could he do with Quansah after the season he’s had?