Last week, it was reported by the Chronicle that Steve Bruce wanted to sign Ross Barkley from Chelsea during the 2020 summer transfer window.
The 60-year-old wanted the midfield maestro, but after signing Jamal Lewis, Ryan Fraser, Callum Wilson and Jeff Hendrick, he was blocked from landing the 27-year-old after ‘making a pitch’.
The failure to get Barkley has proven to be Newcastle’s loss and Aston Villa’s gain, with Dean Smith’s side benefitting from his creativity and drive.
His link-up play with Jack Grealish and Ollie Watkins has been superb, and Villa look the free-flowing side Newcastle could only dream of being right now.
Perhaps one of the biggest issues right now for the Magpies is chance creation, and Newcastle could seriously do with someone coming in in the next few days who can make things happen.
The club didn’t end up signing Barkley, but perhaps it’s worth looking to Chelsea again after Frank Lampard’s comments on Billy Gilmour.
Lampard, who has now just been sacked by the Blues, said after Gilmour starred against Luton Town in the FA Cup (Daily Mail): “His comfort on the ball, the way he moved it, his discipline, his personality was great. If he plays like he does today, it makes it very difficult for me not to give him a run. He trains that way too.”
And, perhaps significantly, he added: “At the moment, he won’t go on loan but we will keep it open until the end of the month.”
Worth a try
That Chelsea will ‘keep it open’ on Gilmour should encourage Newcastle to test the waters.
The Scottish talent looks ready to play regular top-flight football and could provide the spark that has been lacking in Newcastle’s midfield.
The 19-year-old is technically gifted but also very industrious, and that kind of all-action style isn’t that common even in players more experienced.
If there’s any hint of the £43,000-a-week talent (Spotrac) being available in the coming days then Newcastle could do a lot worse.
Loan business between the clubs has been done previously with Brazilian winger Kenedy, so perhaps the relationship can amount to something.
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
