Newcastle United solely have three Premier League matches left to play earlier than the January switch window opens up for enterprise in slightly below two months.
The World Cup break after this weekend’s spherical of fixtures implies that Dan Ashworth and Eddie Howe have quite a few weeks between November and December to piece collectively their technique for the window, with no video games to occupy their ideas in that point.
They could try to enhance the workforce in January to enhance their possibilities of securing a spot in Europe subsequent season, with the membership presently sitting third within the table after 14 matches.
It was just lately reported by El Futbolero that the Magpies are set to battle it out with Leeds United and Brighton as they eye up a swoop to signal Los Angeles FC central midfielder Jose Cifuentes.
Ashworth could now land an upgrade on present first-workforce gem Sean Longstaff by securing a deal to deliver the Major League Soccer expertise to St. James’ Park at the beginning of 2023.
South American soccer professional Tim Vickery beforehand heaped reward on the LAFC maestro, who has caught the eye for Ecuador at U20 degree, telling talkSPORT:
“He was the beating coronary heart of that aspect and I believe he’s a terrific midfielder. He’s robust, he’s obtained high quality, he’s obtained an excellent engine – he’s top-of-the-line all-spherical midfielders, probably, that I’ve seen come out of South America shortly.
“Get him, sign him on! Ecuadorians are only just beginning to forge careers in Europe. Sometimes the adaptation for them isn’t easy… but this fellow Cifuentes strikes the ball well, moves across the field, strong in the tackle, strong on the ball, I like him a lot.”
Vickery lauded his multitude of abilities and Cifuentes’ statistics within the MLS in 2022 again up the reward.
He has registered seven targets and six assists, while creating 11 big possibilities for his teammates, and made 2.3 tackles and interceptions per recreation – recording a SofaScore rating of 7.04 throughout 36 outings.
Longstaff, in the meantime, has averaged a SofaScore rating of 6.74 or lower for the reason that begin of the 2021/22 Premier League marketing campaign and chipped in with two targets and three assists in 38 matches in that point, while making 1.6 tackles and interceptions per match this time period.
These statistics recommend that the LAFC star could be an upgrade on the 25-12 months-outdated Toon academy product in the midst of the park as he has the potential to supply extra on and off the ball, by successful possession again extra continuously and contributing with extra within the remaining third.
He can be two years youthful than Longstaff and could, subsequently, have extra room to develop and develop below Howe’s teaching, which could make him a wonderful signing for the long run as nicely as the right here and now.
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