Newcastle have been linked with a move for QPR star Ryan Manning, with an ‘exclusive’ from Football Insider claiming that we are confident of striking a £3m deal in January.
The versatile 23-year-old has been in fine form for Mark Warbuton’s QPR side this season and is out of contract in the summer, meaning the Irishman could be available at a heavily discounted price in January – with Rangers reluctant to lose him on a free.
Manning is a central midfielder by trade but has been deployed at left-back this season, impressing for his side and cementing a first-team place. Not only that, he tops the club’s charts for chances created, assists, crosses, tackles, possession won, touches, and fouls won.
His versatility could be a useful asset to this Newcastle side, with us looking light in midfield and left-back at times this season, but question marks remain as to whether he’d actually improve us.
Either way, it does sound like a deal that could suit our wage and price structure, with a move for Manning hardly denting too big of a hole in the club’s bank balance, as well as him also fitting Mike Ashley’s transfer policy at the age of 23.
One to watch in January, perhaps?
