Making first-team signings has not been easy for Newcastle United this summer.
While four players have come into Newcastle ahead of the new Premier League campaign, only one looks likely to trouble Eddie Howe’s starting eleven any time soon.
Indeed, there is hope that Lloyd Kelly will be able to develop nicely under Howe but the other new arrivals hardly look like improvements.
John Ruddy, after all, seems unlikely to ever play a first-team game for Newcastle, while fellow new goalkeeping arrival Odysseas Vlachodimos surely faces a battle to dislodge Nick Pope as Howe’s first-choice custodian.
Serbian youngster Miodrag Pivas, meanwhile, is unlikely to be ready for Premier League football straight away.
Clearly, it’s been a struggle this summer. Ex-Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo was a target before he joined Chelsea, complicating matters for Newcastle.
Now, they could be dealt more competition in regards to another target.
UD Almeria right-back Marc Pubill – hailed for his “fast” speed by the Spanish club – is reportedly someone the club have been scouting for months.
Still, actually landing him may not be easy.
Roma looking to accelerate plans to sign Newcastle target Marc Pubill
According to Diario De Almeria, Italian side Roma are in fact in the best position to sign the 21-year-old.
They claim the Serie A giants are ready to try and accelerate a deal in an attempt to keep the cost down, with the defender tipped to star for Spain at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Newcastle look covered at right-back
Missing out on a target is never nice but Newcastle actually look pretty set at right-back, even if Kieran Trippier departs.
There is hope Tino Livramento will be able to kick on after an impressive first season with the club, while Harrison Ashby is reportedly in line to be offered a fresh chance to impress.
That’s not to say the club shouldn’t target Pubill but perhaps there are more pressing areas of the squad on which to focus.
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