A major transfer merry-go-round could cost Newcastle their captain Jamaal Lascelles, and if that happens the Magpies must move swiftly for Everton target Yerry Mina.
What’s the story?
According to reports, Manchester United are willing to pay a whopping £60m for Leicester’s Harry Maguire, which could have huge knock on effects around the league.
The England World Cup star is apparently eager for the move, so it could be only a matter of time before Leicester have a gap in the heart of their defence and a whole lot of cash in their back pocket… see where this is heading?
A report from The Sun claims the Foxes will move for Lascelles if they lose Maguire, lining up a £35m offer for the Magpies’ captain.
If it was up to Rafael Benitez then Lascelles would be going nowhere, but we all know Mike Ashley won’t think twice if the right offer comes in.
If Lascelles does go then Benitez should immediately look at Mina, who Everton have just mid “more than £27m” for, according to Dominic King of the Daily Mail.
Even if Lascelles doesn’t go, the Magpies should look at a loan move for Mina, as the sale of Chancel Mbemba and injury to Florian Lejeune means the signing of Fabian Schar still leaves them one centre back short.
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The perfect match?
While no one can replace what Lascelles means for this Newcastle side in a leadership sense, Mina is undoubtedly the only player on the market right now that can add similar traits to the skipper in the heart of a defence.
Both players are absolutely phenomenal in the air, with Mina averaging 4.7 aerial wins per game at the World Cup while Lascelles managed 3.9 per game in the league last season. They also both have surprising pace for their size, so Mina should have no trouble adapting to the speed of the Premier League.
When it comes to throwing their bodies on the line for the cause, Mina’s World Cup stats are quite literally identical to Lascelles’ impressive Premier League season, with both players averaging a whopping seven clearances per game and 0.7 blocks per game.
The pair are also both pretty gifted with the ball at their feet, brilliant at staying calm and composed under pressure, and combined with their commanding physical dominance it brings a real air of calmness over the rest of the team.
If Newcastle lose Lascelles it could be a disaster, but bringing in Mina for a tidy profit would be the closest thing possible to the perfect replacement. Alternatively, if Barcelona decide they want to keep the colossal youngster long term, then a loan move to place him alongside Lascelles would give the Magpies the best defensive pairing in the league.
So, Newcastle fans, would you like to see a move for Mina? Let us know your thoughts by voting in the poll below…
