da 888casino： According to the Guardian, Newcastle have reportedly shown an interest in Dwight McNeil, the young Burnley winger who is attracting attention with each passing game.
da dobrowin： Crystal Palace and Tottenham are two other clubs who have registered an interest in the 20-year-old and given the potential he has displayed it may be tricky for the Magpies to prise him away from Turf Moor.
He only broke into the Clarets first-team last season but his effective crossing has enabled him to provide four assists already this term, more than Miguel Almiron and Allan Saint-Maximin have managed combined.
Given the interest, it is unlikely that McNeil will be available on the cheap, and that therefore adds a new dimension to a possible deal, and whether he’d be a good addition.
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We put that question to our Football FanCast writers, here’s what they had to say on the matter.
Charles Jones
“I know that Dwight McNeil is highly rated in some circles, but I can’t say that I see him adding too much to this Newcastle squad.
“Perhaps that’s because I still have faith in Miguel Almiron and Allan Saint-Maximin to come good.
“The two wingers that Newcastle already have are two of the most expensive players in the club’s history, and they simply don’t need another. Ok, Saint-Maximin is injured, but you don’t bring in a player as young and highly rated as McNeil just as a stop-gap who will be discarded when the Frenchman returns.
“For me, Newcastle would be better off targeting other areas of their squad once the January transfer window opens up.”
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Matt Dawson
“Dwight McNeil would be a shrewd piece of business for most clubs in the Premier League, especially a Newcastle side devoid of many wingers or creative quality.
“The England U21 international has been rising in stock over the last couple of years and despite some inconsistencies, he delivers some impressive numbers and boasts one of the most dangerous deliveries of the ball in the bottom half of the division. He delivers 1.8 accurate crosses per game while registering 1.3 key passes too. He may not have the pace of Allan Saint-Maximin but there’s no doubting the 20-year-old’s ability to carve out opportunities. He contributed to eight goals in 2018/19 and already has already been involved in five this season.
“It was claimed last month that Leicester, Everton and Wolves were in the hunt for the youngster so it may not be a straightforward deal to complete. That being said, it’s one they must pursue. With Saint-Maximin out injured their attacking depth will really be called into question. Possessing someone like McNeil, however, could solve it. Mike Ashley must provide the funds.”
Billy Meyers
“I’m still not sold on Dwight McNeil, despite his obvious qualities. The former Manchester United academy man possesses decent traits, such as his crossing and ability to work in a solid unit under Sean Dyche. In fact, despite me not being convinced on the 20-year-old, McNeil could actually be a suitable signing for Newcastle as Steve Bruce also sets his side up in a typically compact, organised manner which focuses on counter-attacks, so the Burnley prospect could actually need no time at all to settle in.
“It remains to be seen if Mike Ashley will want to spend another chunk of cash on McNeil, as his price tag is reportedly set at £20m – if the Magpies do decide to make McNeil their latest expensive edition, however, Bruce presumably won’t need much time to coach his methods into him, so he could be perfect.”
Kealan Hughes
“This is a move Newcastle should try their utmost to make happen simply because McNeil offers something different to the other options in the squad.
“His brilliant crossing qualities, as highlighted above, means he offers something Saint-Maximin or Almiron can’t compare to, as they have averaged 0.3 and 0.1 completed crosses per game.
“It is worth remembering that he is still very young, too, and with further nurturing and experience he could grow into a top player, though his current attributes mean he’d provide good service for Joelinton and Andy Carroll.
“Competition for places would also be an added bonus and put Newcastle’s other wingers on their toes, and that could mean they improve as a result, so it would very much be a win-win situation.”
Interest in McNeil could be a worrying sign for another player in the squad, but it could work in Newcastle’s benefit as his performances may improve as a result.