The Athletic have revealed TWO Premier League centre-backs who were discussed in transfer talks after a loan deal for Arsenal’s Rob Holding fell through.
That duo is Chelsea’s Fikayo Tomori and Manchester United’s Phil Jones, according to Chris Waugh.
Tomori would’ve been a smart loan signing and may be wishing he had made the switch to St James’ Park given his lack of game time at Chelsea this season.
On the flip side, I’m sure most feel forgotten man Phil Jones may have been a bullet dodged!
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In the end, we ended deadline day without any new arrivals in central defence – a move that seemed odd for a few reasons.
For one, Bruce clearly wanted another based on the fact Rob Holding would have signed if Arsenal hadn’t pulled the plug at the 11th hour.
Not only that, we agreed to loan Florian Lejeune to Alaves – and seemingly did so on the basis that a replacement would arrive.
Thankfully, Ciaran Clark and Paul Dummett came through a return to action via the U-23’s unscathed on Monday, but neither have played in the Premier League for well over six months.
Not only that, Fabian Schar has had shoulder issues and doesn’t seem fancied by Bruce now we’ve switched back to a four-man defence, while Jamaal Lascelles missed the Burnley win a few weeks back through injury.
We have plenty good centre backs and perhaps we can get by without the signing of another, but it seems like we’ve taken a risk in that department.
Let’s hope it doesn’t backfire in Bruce’s face!
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