Former Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew believes that Eddie Howe has an easy opportunity to make the ‘perfect’ signing in January.
The transfer window is open once again in three weeks, with Newcastle set to get the chance to strengthen their squad amid their ongoing injury crisis.
Things did improve at the weekend with the returns of Sean Longstaff and Callum Wilson, but it is still evident that Newcastle need reinforcements next month.
One position that the Magpies could potentially address is in goal, with Nick Pope set to miss up to five months with a shoulder injury.
That has led to speculation that David De Gea could join Newcastle, with the 33-year-old currently a free agent after being released by Manchester United.
It has been claimed that De Gea is interested in a move to Tyneside, and former Toon boss Alan Pardew believes that a deal for the Spaniard makes complete sense.
Pardew wants Newcastle to sign De Gea
Pardew has addressed Newcastle’s goalkeeper issues on TalkSPORT and believes that De Gea is a perfect fit for the Magpies.
“De Gea is available,” he said.
“If you’re the Newcastle manager and you’ve got this funding, you’re going to go for the best. And I think that he’s the best that’s out there.
“If I was his agent, I’d be ringing them straight away. It seems like a perfect fit to me.
It would only be about how long the contract would be, do you go to the end of the season to give him a window to show himself, or maybe longer to have direct competition with Pope.
“I think that’s definitely a possibility.”
Finances make De Gea deal unlikely for Newcastle
With sudden concerns regarding Martin Dubravka’s fitness, talk over a move for De Gea is only going to get louder. However, they are rumours that have been met with confusion on Tyneside.
Wages would most likely be an issue for Newcastle, as De Gea was earning £375,000-a-week at Old Trafford. Even half that amount would make him one of the Magpies’ top earners, and it is hard to see Newcastle even paying him that much.
The problem is that Newcastle have various other positions that they want to improve in when the January transfer window opens. It is a massive inconvenience that we might need to get a goalkeeper.
But when it comes down to talent and availability, De Gea certainly is a perfect fit for Newcastle right now. He is an ‘outstanding‘ goalkeeper, and would certainly be an improvement on Dubravka.
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
