Pete O’Rourke has dropped some big transfer news involving Newcastle United and Dele Alli.
The Lowdown: Lingard alternative?
According to 90min journalist Graeme Bailey, the St James’ Park club are now readying a ‘huge offer’ to sign Jesse Lingard, and Manchester United are ‘likely to accept’ their approach for the midfielder.
However, it is not clear if the 29-year-old himself wants to leave in the January transfer window or wait until the summer when his contract at Old Trafford expires.
Therefore, the Magpies may need to look at alternatives between now and the end of the month, in case a deal for him falls through.
The Latest: Alli move
As per O’Rourke on Twittter, Newcastle are now readying a move for Alli as an alternative to Lingard. He tweeted:
“Hearing Newcastle are ready to move for Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli as an alternative to their pursuit of Jesse Lingard after being frustrated so far in their attempts to land the Manchester United man.”
The Verdict: Avoid
While there is no doubt that Alli has talent – Rio Ferdinand claimed that the 25-year-old was a ‘machine’ earlier in the season – he is simply not consistent enough and is a player who Eddie Howe and co should avoid trying to sign.
He has gone off the boil for a good couple of seasons now, recording just five goals and six assists across all competitions since the start of 2020/21, nowhere near the kind of numbers he was producing before then (Transfermarkt).
At least Lingard has shown more recently what he can offer during his fruitful loan spell at West Ham United last term, so if it is a choice between the two, the Magpies should go all-out for him instead of Alli.
In other news, Fabrizio Romano provides the latest on NUFC’s pursuit of Diego Carlos