Newcastle were linked with Liverpool duo Dominic Solanke and Divock Origi in the Chronicle last week, but left-back Alberto Moreno is a far more realistic option for Rafa Benitez from Anfield.
According to reports from the Daily Mail, Liverpool are set to allow Moreno to leave the club on a free transfer.
With his contract ending this summer, the defender should be seen as a good low-cost option for Newcastle.
Rafa Benitez revealed in his press conference on Friday that he still does not know what his transfer budget will be come January.
But the Newcastle manager should assume it will once again be low given the lack of funding he has received in the past from Mike Ashley.
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He therefore needs to be thinking about players he can afford. Although not the attacker he wants, Moreno is a fine player who would improve the squad at no extra cost.
What Moreno can offer Newcastle
Moreno’s defensive abilities are often questioned but there is no doubt he offers a lot going forward. In his last full season for Liverpool (2015/2016), Moreno managed one goal and four assists in the Premier League.
Paul Dummett has long been Newcastle’s first choice left-back and although solid defensively, he offers little going forward.
Signing Moreno would also allow the Toon different tactical options. By using the Spaniard and DeAndre Yedlin as wing-backs, Newcastle would for once have two full-backs with incredible pace and attacking threat.
But more than anything Moreno would simply provide good cover for a position in which Newcastle are lacking competition. In fact, there’s no competition at all.
Injuries to Dummett often causes Newcastle problems, most recently in their last two matches against Leicester and Manchester United.
Benitez tried both Kenedy and Javier Manquillo in the position but both failed to look convincing.
Even if Benitez isn’t looking at the Liverpool defender in January, it is vital he signs another left-back.
