How Newcastle could help Man Utd solve their midfield problem

Robin Bairner

• 24 Jan 2022 17:28 GMT
• 3 min read

Manchester United could be given a valuable lending hand in rebalancing their side by Newcastle during the final week of the January transfer window.

The Old Trafford club have been searching for months for midfield additions to add both strength and quality to their team. Inevitably, though, the routes they have looked down have been deemed to be too expensive.

West Ham’s Declan Rice, for example, had an outrageous £200 million transfer tag placed on his head by the London club.

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Man Utd want Kamara

Naturally, Manchester United have turned their attention to other targets, with Marseille central midfielder Boubacar Kamara a player who has caught their eye.

Not only has the defensive midfielder got the qualities to breakup play and even feature as a centre-back when required, he also progresses the ball well. These are qualities that interim boss Ralf Rangnick is looking for as he seeks to strengthen his team.

Kamara would not cost a great deal at £10 million, but with just six months left on his contract, Man Utd have been reluctant to meet Marseille’s asking price.

The move, however, could be funded by Newcastle United’s approach for Jesse Lingard. It has been reported by 90Mins that the Toon are willing to spend £10m on the winger, who starred for West Ham for half a season last term.

The St James’ Park club are in a desperate state, driven by a poor league position and a crippling injury situation. As such, they are willing to splash the cash on Lingard, who also only has six months of his deal at Man Utd left.

In this case, the Red Devils could be willing to take the hit on losing the England international in a position they are well covered in and instead strengthen a zone of the field that they are crying out for depth in.

Lingard’s switch to Newcastle, then, could fuel Kamara’s move to Marseille – he just needs to accept the relegation-threatened side’s terms.