According to the Daily Star, Benfica’s Andreas Samaris, Coventry star Tom Bayliss and Nurenberg midfielder Patrick Erras are three players on Newcastle’s radar to replace both Isaac Hayden and Mo Diame this summer.
Hayden, 24, has had an outstanding second half of the season, being arguably our most consistent performer of 2019, however that hasn’t changed his stance – with him still wanting to leave for family reasons.
As for Diame, his contract expires this summer and his failure to start in last weekend’s game with Liverpool means he’s now unable to trigger a clause that would’ve handed him a one-year extension.
They claim Andreas Samaris was ‘all set’ to join in January until the deal broke down late on, however the fact he’s due to be available on a free this summer means a deal could be revisited.
Our interest in Coventry star Tom Bayliss was confirmed by the Chronicle earlier this week. It remains to be seen if he’s ready for the step up to the Premier League, but he certainly fits the Mike Ashley mould when it comes to a young player with high potential / sell on value.
Then there’s 6ft 4′ Nürnberg midfielder Patrick Erras. His name was linked last month, and talk of him being available for £5m makes him sound like a potentially cheap replacement for Mo Diame.
Here’s what the Star have had to say about each player:
Andreas Samaris:
It’s understood Samaris was all set on joining the Magpies only for Hayden to stay put and revive his Toon career.
Samaris is 29 – and we all know what Newcastle owner Mike Ashley thinks of footballers approaching their 30th birthday!
But crucially, the midfielder is out of contract at Benfica and available on a free transfer.
Newcastle are monitoring his situation closely.
Tom Bayliss
A lot of football fans won’t have heard about this 20-year-old central midfielder. That’s because he plays for Coventry in League One.
But he’s already broken into the England Under 19 squad and despite signing a new contract with the Sky Blues, Bayliss is expected to move on this summer.
Whether he’s ready for regular top flight action is debatable, but the youngster is tipped for a bright future and would could prove a shrewd – and relatively cheap – purchase.
Patrick Erras
The 24-year-old plays for Nuremberg in the Bundesliga and could be available for as little as £5m.
He has already hinted that he’d jump at the chance of a move to England with Newcastle believed to be one of those clubs who have made enquiries.
He’s tall, elegant with a good eye for a pass. What’s more his running stats suggest he’d have no problem fitting into a Benitez-led team.
This seems like speculative stuff from the Star, but all three players mentioned as potential replacements have been linked with moves to Newcastle over the past few months.
Time will tell..
