Director suggests Newcastle can sign ‘Rolls Royce’ for less than £6m in January

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Peterborough chairman Darragh MacAnthony has indicated that Ronnie Edwards may be allowed to leave for less than £6 million in January with Newcastle United one of a few interested Premier League clubs. 

If things had worked out differently, the England U20 international may already be a Newcastle United player. 

MacAnthony, speaking back in 2022, confirmed Dan Ashworth’s admiration for a centre-half the former Brighton chief described as an ‘absolute Rolls Royce’ of a player; Newcastle only deciding against stepping up their interest due to the more pressing need for reinforcements at the other end of the pitch. 

Newcastle’s pursuit of arguably the most coveted young defender in the EFL, however, appears to be an ongoing concern. MacAnthony admitted back in August that Eddie Howe’s side were still sending scouts to Peterborough.  

What’s more, Edwards is likely to depart for far less than the fees reported in the media; MacAnthony suggesting that the 20-year-old’s eventual price-tag won’t even pass the £6 million mark. 

Newcastle United could try for Ronnie Edwards again

“I’m not asking for £6 million, £8 million, (or) £10 million. I’m being realistic, as we are a League One club. If we were in the Championship, I’d ask for a bit more,” the Peterborough chief explains on his Hard Truth Podcast.

“I just want a fair fee with some decent add ons, and we will get it in January.”

It is no secret that Howe wants a right-sided centre-half to provide competition for Fabian Schar. Edwards may not possess the proven top-flight record of a Joachim Andersen, but his relative inexperience is unlikely to put off a Newcastle side who have invested heavily in youth; see Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall.

“(Newcastle director) Dan Ashworth said; ‘We know all about your boy. He is a Rolls Royce of a centre-half. But, we, Newcastle, are looking at the attacking end of the pitch at the moment’,” MacAnthony said back in 2022. 

“Ashworth said; ‘(Edwards is an) absolute Rolls Royce. Every scout report that went into Brighton, (said he was) unbelievable.’”