As one centre-back arrives at Newcastle United, another could leave in the shape of Kelland Watts.
The Magpies have completed a deal to sign Sven Botman from Lille. It hasn’t been officially confirmed yet, with the club only announcing a deal in principle.
However, Botman will become a Magpie, and an announcement is expected today.
The 22-year-old will likely be a starter at St James’ Park, playing alongside either Dan Burn or Fabian Schar. Newcastle then have Jamaal Lascelles in reserve, who will now be the club’s fourth choice centre-back.
Botman’s arrival will also push Watts further down the pecking order, and it should open the door for him to leave on loan.
Watts could leave on loan and return to Wigan
According to the Northern Echo, Newcastle will allow Watts to leave St James’ Park on loan this season.
The centre-back spent the previous campaign at Wigan where his side achieved promotion to the Championship.
And the Northern Echo add that the Latics are considering a bid to re-sign him ahead of their season in second tier.
It would be a good move for Watts. He’s spent the last two seasons in League One and could benefit from the step up to the Championship.
Watts has only played once for the Newcastle first-team, coming off the bench in a defeat to Liverpool in July 2020. However, he’s been in and around the senior side for a few years.
Lascelles hailed Watts in training two years ago
Rafa Benitez was the first manager to look at Watts. He included him on the bench in the final game of the 2018/19 season, which was actually Benitez’s final game as manager.
Steve Bruce took over soon after, and he was the manager who gave the centre-back his debut.
Watts trained with the first-team in the summer of 2020, and received high praise from Lascelles, who was impressed with the youngster’s speed.
“We’ve been doing 1,500 metre runs, five times, as fast as we can,” he told NUFC TV.
“In fairness to the young lad, Kell Watts, he has just smashed everyone there and got the best time. My money was on Miggy but Kell has just blown everyone out of the water.
“He is a great pro, he is a great character and he understands his position. He understands he has got to reach a certain level.”
Lascelles spoke very highly of Watts, but he may struggle to make it in the Premier League with Newcastle.
The club have heavily invested in the defence since the takeover, and that will likely continue in the coming years.
Watts will seriously need to impress this season out on loan if he’s ever going to break into Eddie Howe’s side.
His current contract expires in 2024, and it’s difficult to see him remaining a Newcastle player beyond then.
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