Journalist Sean Casey has claimed on the NUFC Matters YouTube channel that Newcastle will make a move for Burnley winger Dwight McNeil.
Following the Clarets’ relegation from the Premier League, many of their best players are at risk of leaving the Lancashire club.
James Tarkowski is reportedly close to joining Everton, and another player that rival clubs will look to poach will be Dwight McNeil.
There was interest in the 22-year-old last summer, with The Athletic reporting that Everton and Aston Villa were the frontrunners, but teams were put off by the £40m price tag.
Burnley’s relegation means that the £19.8m-rated ace will be going for less this time around.
One of the clubs seeking to take advantage of this is Newcastle, with Casey believing that the Magpies are looking to bring the former England U21 international to St James’ Park.
“I think the biggest portion of the investment will come on wingers and I think we go for two. Dwight McNeil is another one that I’ve been told about and I know Burnley are relegated but the club have watched him for a long time, even back in the Rafa days, Rafa was a huge fan.”
Our Thoughts on Casey’s McNeil Claims…
The Burnley Academy graduate is one of the most important players at Turf Moor. Only Tarkowski has a higher WhoScored league rating in the team, and the Rochdale-born wide man has the most key passes and dribbles per game out of all the outfield players.
The £72k-per-week midfielder also works hard off the ball, leading his side in tackles and is in the top 3% in his position in Europe’s top five leagues for blocks and tackles and interceptions.
The 6-foot winger is the complete player, this makes him useful for the Clarets. He has played all across the midfield this season, and his versatility has previously been praised by former Burnley manager Sean Dyche.
“He’s a very adaptable player, and it looked like he enjoyed it.”
“He was still getting in the right positions defensively, still working to do the right things and then when his moment comes, we know he is a talent. He is working now for his moments.”
His attacking stats have been poor this season, with no goals and one assist putting him in the bottom 5% of wingers and attacking midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues, but this can be attributed to the fact that only Norwich has scored less than the Lancashire club.
Chris Wood leaving has not helped. Wood is the player that McNeil has combined with the most to score in his career, with the duo setting each other up ten times.
With the New Zealand international moving to Tyneside for £25m in January, it would be a great move if Eddie Howe could reunite the two.
AND in other news, “I was told..” – Journo claims Newcastle could seal shock swoop for “world-class” 106-goal star…