Newcastle were reportedly very interested in signing Harry Wilson on a season-long loan in the summer, with Liverpool, at that time, only interested in a permanent sale.
With no permanent deal forthcoming, Liverpool eventually allowed the right winger to leave on loan, but with Newcastle’s interest having seemingly dwindled, he went to Bournemouth for a loan fee of just £2.5 million, according to the Evening Standard.
Having plugged most of the holes in the squad, right wing is one area that Steve Bruce failed to strengthen, and not making more of an effort to sign Wilson is a decision he may come to rue.
Against Watford on Saturday, time and again, there was no one in an advanced position on the right flank, particularly with right-back Emile Krafth not looking a full-back mobile enough to excel in the wing-back role.
But it was not just Saturday.
So far this season, Newcastle’s need for right wing support has been glaring, with a whopping 66 per cent of the attacking play coming from the central and left positions, with just 34 per cent from the right.
Bruce’s side have averaged 17 crosses per game this season, but just 3.5 of those from open play have been accurate and found a Newcastle player each game.
Right wing must be prioritised in January transfer window
It is an area that we must address in January, but until then, they can only think about what they could have had, while hoping DeAndre Yedlin regains match fitness sooner, rather than later.
The American may not be the best defender, but he definitely is more of an attacking threat from wing-back than Krafth, and has a lot more pace that Javier Manquillo.
Harry Wilson has been bedded into the Bournemouth side slowly by Eddie Howe, but has been consistent in his performances when he has been on the pitch.
He has already scored twice, and even though he only came on as a first half substitute during the Cherries’ home defeat to champions Manchester City, he was their star performer.
We do not know whether Newcastle made any attempt to hijack his deal with Bournemouth, but if not, questions should be asked why they did not firm up their initial interest.
The highly rated youngster would have given the side exactly what it is missing, and could have been one of those players that Mike Ashley likes to sign so much – a talent under 25 who would command a profit on any future sale, had they managed to secure an option to buy.
Instead, they took a risk by not bringing anyone in at the position, and the stats so far, suggest that could be a huge error in judgement.
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