Harry Kane is pictured smiling during an England training session. Inset, mystery person graphic.
Harry Kane is pictured smiling during an England training session. Inset, mystery person graphic.
Next season’s Champions League campaign means Newcastle United require further depth in their squad, so recent news that an England international is leaving his club should be of interest to Eddie Howe.
Indeed, the Newcastle United squad was decimated by injuries the last time the club played in the Champions League.
While Newcastle will surely address the lack of numbers available to Howe this summer, they cannot possibly go out and spend huge sums of money on every single position.
With that in mind, a look into the free transfer market may be wise, particularly if Kieran Trippier leaves.
It’s hard to imagine the Newcastle United manager actively wanting to lose him, but Trippier has been linked with a move away from St James’ Park.
If he does, perhaps a move for Southampton’s Kyle Walker-Peters would be a good option.
Kyle Walker-Peters pictured running with the ball while playing for Southampton against Fulham in the Premier League.
Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images
Kyle Walker-Peters confirms he’s leaving Southampton
The two-cap England international has confirmed he’ll be leaving Southampton on a free transfer following the club’s relegation to the Championship.
The former Tottenham defender is able to operate on both defensive flanks, which could help Howe. Along with Trippier, Matt Targett has been linked with a Newcastle exit.
Should both depart, Newcastle will need cover. As good as Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall are, they cannot be expected to play every single game next season.
Emil Krafth is another option of course but Howe has already confirmed he sees the Swede growing into a central defender. Dan Burn can also play at left-back, but excelled centrally last season.
Walker-Peters looks a logical addition. Available on a free transfer, he produced an average of 1.3 tackles and 0.6 interceptions per game last season. As a back-up option, he looks a good fit.
Harry Kane has already endorsed Kyle Walker-Peters
The Saints defender also has Harry Kane’s endorsement, which perhaps counts for something.
Kane played with Walker-Peters for both Tottenham and England. In March 2022, he said of the defender: “I obviously know Kyle from when he was at Spurs, he is a great lad, he works really hard and he has done really well at Southampton.”
In an ideal world, Trippier would stay at the club next season.
If that cannot happen, however, then Newcastle could do worse than moving for a player with Premier League experience available for free like Walker-Peters.