5 loan deals NUFC could secure this summer – Man U, Chelsea & Arsenal trio, Welsh star & Leipzig winger

Following the win over Leicester City last Friday, we can be more confident about discussing targets for the Premier League as relegation is no longer possible.

Last week, we looked at potential free agents – you can read that piece here – but this time around we focus on realistic loan targets. Like free agents, it is a market that we are likely to be looking at.

Axel Tuanzebe – Manchester United

At the age of 23, Tuanzebe desperately needs regular first team football to take his game to a new level. He has accumulated just 132 Premier League minutes this season and that makes him a good option for a loan.

I have previously written about the need to strengthen our centre back options, as we lack dynamism and pace in defence. Tuanzebe would certainly add a quicker option to our centre back pool, while he is better on the ball. There are still some concerns about his lack of experience, but he has played for Manchester United in the Champions League, which speaks of his talent. 

Marc Guehi – Chelsea

Like Tuanzebe, the Chelsea youngster would be an excellent addition to our centre-back pool. Guehi has been one of the standout defenders in the Championship, with Swansea City having the third best defensive record.

He would add a quicker option to our back line, while Guehi is very good in the air too. It seems obvious that he will be a Premier League player next season, as that is the next step for him.

Chelsea are unlikely to want to give him a chance next season, as he is still raw and lacking top-flight experience. This should be a deal we are looking at, especially if we have a low budget.

Harry Wilson – Liverpool

This may have to be a permanent deal, but Harry Wilson would be a player I’d look at this summer. His loan spell at Cardiff has been excellent and those that have watched him closely believe him to be a Premier League player. 

This season, he has contributed seven goals and 11 assists, showing the dual threat that he carries. Wilson is an excellent set piece taker and that is an area we could improve on in future years.

His loan spell at Bournemouth in the Premier League is considered underwhelming, but he still managed to score seven goals in a relegated team. There is unfinished business for him in the top flight and if Liverpool would consider another loan, we should consider it. Our first choice attack is very good, but there isn’t a lot of depth. 

Ademola Lookman – RB Leipzig

It has been a good season for Lookman, despite Fulham’s relegation. He has contributed four goals and four assists. Although it isn’t an eye-catching return, he has regularly looked like the most threatening player at the club.

Lookman is very direct and he looks to get shots away often, as shown by his average of 2.1 shots per game. We’ve also looked at him before, as we came close to signing him in January 2020. If he was available, we would likely look into it.

We have some excellent attacking players, but we lack depth. Allan Saint-Maximin is difficult to replace due to his direct style and willingness to beat a defender. Lookman would provide that to the squad and would prove to be a very good squad player. It would also allow us to move Ryan Fraser on, who hasn’t been a great fit for the squad.

Eddie Nketiah – Arsenal

We have benefitted from the Arsenal academy this season with Joe Willock making a huge impact in his loan spell. It will be hoped that we retain his services whether that be permanently or on another loan spell. If we do sign him permanently or he doesn’t return at all, we should be looking at another loan from Arsenal – Eddie Nketiah.

A striker may not be top of our transfer priorities, but if Dwight Gayle and Andy Carroll leave in the summer, we may have room for one. It is likely that our budget will be focused on other positions, therefore a striker loan might appeal.

Nketiah is a player with big potential, who hasn’t been given many chances under Mikel Arteta this season. Even when they rotated against West Brom, he wasn’t in the team. This means he could be available.

In league football for Arsenal and Leeds, he has scored eight goals at a rate of one every 203.5 minutes. Considering he is mainly used as a sub, this is a very good record and at the age of 21, he will only improve in the coming years.

Follow us on Twitter (@NUFCBlogcouk) and on Facebook HERE

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *