Gabby Agbonlahor makes Toon transfer prediction, but it makes so little sense...
Fresh from his non-sensical misunderstanding of Joelinton’s dramatic improvement this season, Talksport pundit Gabby Agbonlahor has reaffirmed his anti-NUFC bias by stating on air that Jesse Lingard should not and will not join Newcastle United.
He also reckons Tottenham's Dele Alli would also snub a move to St James' Park, yet it's his claims on Lingard that make little sense when you dig a bit deeper.
Newcastle have been locked in talks with Man Utd over a permanent or loan move for the attacking midfielder, but West Ham and Tottenham are also said to be interested in the player, who scored 9 goals in 16 appearances for the Hammers whilst on loan last season.
Talksport have also reported that the Red Devils are asking for loan fee of £3.5m, which admittedly West Ham could likely afford, yet Agbonlahor has missed the point again, by failing to ask the question ‘would Man Utd really want to loan him out to a club competing directly with them for the European positions next season?’
The pundit also seems to have conveniently forgotten NUFC have already secured the services of one of the world’s best full backs, in England international Kieron Trippier - as well as acting quickly to trigger the release clause for striker Chris Wood.
If we can convince a player to leave Champions League football in Spain for a relegation battle at St James' Park, I think we can realistically attract someone who has managed just 89 minutes of Premier League football all season for an awful Man Utd side.
Another factor in Newcastle’s favour (which Gabby also misses out) is that we could be prepared to fund a permanent move with the added draw of a top notch salary package which would definitely make him one of the club’s highest earners.
Unless Lingard leaves the club this January, Man Utd would of course lose him for nothing in the Summer.
It’s also very doubtful Lingard would want to be warming the sub’s bench at Manchester all season, with the Quatar World Cup coming up towards the end of this year. Like Trippier, he is likely to want game time to try and force himself into the reckoning for the England squad.
If the versatile midfielder / winger does come to Newcastle and becomes a lynchpin in securing our top flight status, Gareth Southgate would surely take notice.
All in all, Newcastle could well be in the driving seat for this transfer.
