Newcastle's midfielder hunt takes new twist after Hojbjerg and Palhinha setbacks
Newcastle United are expected to sign at LEAST one midfielder between now and deadline day on Tuesday 1st September; exactly two weeks from today.
A new No.6, ready to plug in, play and offer plenty of know-how, is wanted, while Matthias Jaissle's 4-2-3-1 system is also crying out for an attacking option able to fit naturally in that No.10 role.
An update has arrived today on our search for a deep-lying midfielder, hinting at a potential change in direction from sporting director Ross Wilson.
Double blow creates change in direction?
Newcastle's failed attempts to land Marseille’s Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Bayern Munich’s Joao Palhinha could force the club to pursue a different profile in our ongoing search for a new holding midfielder.
The Athletic's Chris Waugh reports that, with moves for Hojbjerg and Palhinha 'unlikely to advance', Ross Wilson could end up signing a young midfielder, unless another leader becomes available in that part of the pitch.
Jaissle ideally wants a midfield general in their late 20s or early 30s, able to rally the troops and add steel and experience to our engine room, but there is thought to be a 'dearth of available players' fitting that role.
As a result, Wilson is considering younger yet proven midfielders able to slot straight in and play, with Brighton's Carlos Baleba named as one option discussed internally during recruitment talks. He is proven at this level, but wouldn't add that immediate injection of senior leadership at 22.
Securing an 'experienced engine-room operator' is the 'priority in the short term', says Waugh, but all options are being explored.
Spurs' Lucas Bergvall remains tentatively in the mix, but his price tag has so far proved prohibitive, while it's not clear if Jaissle would be happy to add yet another 20-year-old into the fold, which is no surprise when Steur (18), Miley (20) and Bamba (20) could do with an injection of experience around them.
Luke Edwards on Palhinha, Seiwald and Jaissle link
The Telegraph's Luke Edwards has also shared an update on our midfielder hunt, discussing Palhinha and the newly linked Nicolas Seiwald.
Edwards insists that there is 'nothing happening' with Palhinha, just as Aston Villa rekindle their attempts to land the 31-year-old, and touches on Sky Germany's report that Seiwald is an emerging target.
As of today, he claims that Newcastle sources are playing down links to the RB Leipzig man who played under Jaissle at RB Salzburg and Liefering, but is reluctant to totally dismiss this potential move given Seiwald's connection to the new Newcastle boss.
Seiwald not only played a key role under Jaissle at Salzburg, but captained his first-ever Liefering side during his early days in management.
