The FIVE left-back options Newcastle could sign

Jacque Talbot

• Updated: 14 Mar 2023 12:05 GMT
• 5 min read

It’s remarkable, when you think about it, that Dan Burn has remained Newcastle’s first-choice left-back all season.

His limitations have been obvious, while his billing on the first XI isn’t sustainable going into next season. Despite his towering frame, and occasional runs into the box, the former Brighton man is very limited in that position, albeit he’s doing enough to keep Matt Targett out.

There has been the idea that Newcastle will look to move for a player cut of the same cloth as Kieran Trippier but on the opposite side - someone who acts almost as a wing-back and who’s heavily involved in forging attacking sequences. But what is more likely is that Newcastle maintain the same system - when Trippier does push on, and the backline turns into a back-three, the new left-back will operate more as a centre-back, as has been the case this season, with Burn playing almost two roles every game.

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It’s a system that’s worked, so why change it? In essence, Newcastle may be in the market for more of a defensive player to fulfil that left side, rather than someone like Renan Lodi, who they have been linked to again this year.

We have gone through our SciSports data and come up with a shortlist of left-sided defenders who have a good volume of defensive actions, can play in the middle of the back-four, and whose ETV (Estimated Transfer Value) is under €40m.

Pascal Struijk

A Premier League-proven player, Pascal Struijk can both in both positions, on the side or tucked in. Though we are looking for a left-back, the Leeds man, is contracted at Elland Road until 2027, and operates more down the middle.

Struijk is considered a real gem, having signed on a free transfer from Ajax. Leeds have struggled to source a player for the left-back positon and Struijk has been interchanged with Junior Firpo on that flank. FootTransfers values Struijk as somewhere between €14.6 m – €24.3m - but it would likely take a bit over that for the Whites to sell to a Premier League rival. At 23 years old and a capable, versatile player, the Belgian could be one to watch.

Kieran Tierney

Kieran Tierney has lost his place to Oleksandr Zinchenko at Arsenal and might look for regular football. Furthermore, loaneee Nuno Tavares is due back at north London in the summer and has been in stellar form at Marseille. It’s probable that even he could play second-fiddle to the Ukrainian.

Injury woes may be an issue, but Tierney ticks a lot of boxes, having also played as a centre-back for Scotland. It wasn’t too long ago, either, that the 25-year-old was one of the best left-backs in the league, with sublime creativity. There have already been links between the player and Newcastle ahead of the summer window - but it’s whether Arsenal opt to play hardball over the fee.

Federico Dimarco

A bit more an attacking option that’s fallen in our search threshold, Inter Milan’s Federico Dimarco can play at the left of a back-three or in his natural role as a wing-back on the left side. There has been links to Manchester City last month, with Joao Cancelo now allowed to link up with Bayern Munich on loan and his future uncertain.

In 29 games at Inter, the 25-year-old has registered three goals and four assists. He creates 4.71 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes as well. Dimarco could be on the move in the summer, with the Serie A side’s financial struggles well-documented.

Mitchel Bakker

Mitchel Bakker of Bayer Leverkusen is another player who has had links to Newcastle before. He seemed set to join in the January transfer window of last year but a move never materialised.

Bakker plays predominantly as a left-back but is built like a centre-back and has played on the left side of a three-at-the-back system before. The 22-year-old has also played as a No.6 at times and no doubt that would pique the interest of Eddie Howe still further.

He stands at 6 ft 1 inch, and like Sven Botman, he is a product of the Ajax youth system.

Bakker is enjoying another great season and is contracted at the BayArena until 2025.

Abdou Diallo

Abdou Diallo is a Paris Saint-Germain defender who’s currently on loan at RB Leipzig.

He can also play in the centre and it’s thought that PSG will most likely be open to a sale.

It would prove a shrewd choice if Newcastle were to swoop in. PSG are looking for a squad overhaul this summer, with a plethora of squad members earmarked to leave the Parc des Princes - Diallo being one.

The Senegalese is a towering figure at 6 ft 2 inches and is mainly deployed in the centre. At 26, he has a good amount of experience and could be a choice for a direct fill-in or replacement for Burn for next season.