Since joining Football FanCast in 2018, starting out as a freelance writer covering virtually every team in the English football ladder, Ben has progressed through the ranks to now leading the site’s news team as a senior editor.
Newcastle United are considering a move for a promising young midfielder who could provide depth in multiple positions after Bruno Guimaraes became their latest injury casualty on Wednesday.
Howe excited to face PSG despite injury problems
Eddie Howe is relishing a Champions League showdown with holders Paris St Germain as Newcastle attempt to make it through to the knockout stage.
The Magpies will head for the Parc des Princes, where they came within seconds of victory two seasons ago, next week knowing they are all but assured of a top-16 finish and a home draw in the play-offs, but equally aware that a win would almost certainly send them through automatically following Wednesday night’s 3-0 success against PSV Eindhoven.
Asked what it would mean for the club’s development to make the the last 16, head coach Howe said: “There’s a financial implication there and yes, we always talk about income, PSR and trying to generate more revenue, so the more successful we can be as a team, the more we’re going to help that. We’re aware there’s a direct correlation there.
“But I never think financially when trying to help the team progress in every way. It’s always about trying to win, trying to achieve, trying to hunt for trophies. That’s always in the forefront of my mind. The financial side is a nice by-product of that.”
The manager is sweating over the fitness of Guimaraes, after the beloved midfielder was withdrawn with an ankle problem against PSV.
The Magpies are already missing defenders Fabian Schar, Tino Livramento, Dan Burn and Emil Krafth through long-term injuries, and having been quiet in the transfer market so far this month, are now considering dipping into the market.
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The Magpies enjoyed a routine night.
Newcastle eyeing versatile star Aleksandar Stanković
Indeed, sources have told Football FanCast that while Newcastle will not panic in the market for a short-term fix, they would capitalise if the chance to sign a player who can provide a long-term solution is available.
And the man under consideration is Club Brugge midfielder Aleksandar Stanković, who is usually deployed as a defensive midfielder but can also play centre-back, thus providing cover in a variety of positions for Howe’s injury hit squad.
Inter Milan are expected to activate their €23m (£20m) buyback option on the midfielder, having sold him to Brugge in the summer, but the Serie A outfit are not planning for a future with the 20 year-old, and instead plan to sell him on for profit.
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