What has been so refreshing about Newcastle United’s transfer business since the takeover is the fact they’ve made seemingly unfashionable players into brilliant signings.
While Bruno Guimaraes, Kieran Trippier, Sven Botman and Alexander Isak were all highly-rated before their arrivals, it is the deals for the likes of Dan Burn that have proven so interesting.
Though hardly an unknown before his signing, bringing in a defender Brighton were happy to let depart wasn’t exactly what many would have expected when PIF’s millions rolled into Newcastle.
Clearly, however, the move has worked.
Which is why supporters would be wise not to turn their nose up at potential new signings who perhaps don’t carry the biggest reputations.
Philip Billing could emerge as a Newcastle target
To that end, links with Bournemouth’s Philip Billing are so fascinating.
The Daily Mail claim the Danish international could emerge as an alternative option to Manchester United’s Scott McTominay should he be deemed too expensive.
An impressive figure in the Cherries team defying the odds in the relegation battle, the 26-year-old has scored seven times this season from a midfield position.
Hailed as a “very good footballer” by Gary O’Neil for his ability to play in a number of positions, FBREF data notes that Billing ranks within the leading 83% of midfielders playing across Europe’s big five leagues over the past year for non-penalty goals (0.27), blocks (1.89), clearances (1.96) and aerial duels won (1.65) per game.
That kind of all-action presence could certainly be useful for the high-intensity team Eddie Howe has built on Tyneside.
Newcastle have been interested in Billing before
Links with Billing are nothing new.
According to The Sun, Newcastle were interested in the idea of a swap deal for the Bournemouth star way back in 2021, with Matt Ritchie going the other way.
Of course that did not materialise but Billing has certainly done his reputation a world of good since, particularly if he manages to play a leading role in keeping Bournemouth in the Premier League.
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