Newcastle United great Alan Shearer is a big fan of one of the Magpies’ defensive targets for the summer.
The club will be looking for a centre-back when the transfer window opens, and their need for reinforcements has only grown since Sven Botman’s injury. It has also been reported that Newcastle authorities want to sign a left-back.
But a centre-back will undoubtedly take precedence, as Newcastle require someone who can eventually replace Fabian Schar when the time comes. They will want to bring in a player who can be Botman’s long-term defensive partner, which is why many of the Magpies’ targets are under 25 years old.
Goncalo Inacio of Sporting has surfaced as a potential target, and his teammate Ousmane Diomande is also on Newcastle’s radar.
The same applies for Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite, who is having a breakout season at Goodison Park. The Chronicle has stated that Newcastle are seriously considering the 21-year-old, who comes highly recommended by Alan Shearer.
Alan Shearer really likes Jarrad Branthwaite
Newcastle’s all-time greatest scorer spoke with The Athletic on Wednesday, and was asked about Branthwaite, who failed to earn his England debut in friendly against Brazil and Belgium. The teenager was included to the team but was not given a chance to play by Gareth Southgate.
Shearer was asked if he was shocked Branthwaite was not included, and if the omission would have an affect on his prospects of attending Euro 2024.
“It won’t specifically damage his chances because, as disappointing as it was that he didn’t get a game, the player who did play ahead of him, Dunk, made a big error,” he noted in an email.
“That could possibly improve Branthwaite’s chances.
“I like him.” I think he has a bright future ahead of him.
Branthwaite is a major talent who Newcastle probably can’t afford
Shearer is correct; Branthwaite clearly has a bright future in the game. He has been exceptional for Everton, which is why he is being linked with a move to a higher-ranked Premier League club.
Manchester City, Manchester United, and Newcastle have all been linked.
In actuality, it’s tough to imagine him moving to St James’ Park. This is primarily due to his price tag, as transfer insider Graeme Bailey recently told Geordie Boot Boys that Branthwaite will cost more than £70 million this summer. And he doesn’t think Newcastle United will pay that sum.
I agree, as it would mean breaking our transfer record. And that is improbable given the club’s present troubles with the Premier League’s earnings and sustainability standards.
