Man Utd given green-light to sign ideal Mason Mount upgrade

Cameron Smith

• 26 Jan 2024 04:30 CST
• 4 min read

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has admitted that Brazilian midfielder Joelinton may leave the club this summer, with his contract set to expire in 2025.

The Brazil international is currently sidelined through a thigh injury and is not expected to return to fitness until May. As a result, he may have already played his last game for Newcastle.

The Daily Mail recently reported that Joelinton and Newcastle are no closer to reaching an agreement on a new deal, with his wage demands reportedly too high for the Magpies.

Howe has now confirmed that Joelinton could leave St James’ Park during the summer transfer. Ahead of Newcastle’s FA Cup fourth round tie against Fulham, Howe spoke to the media and admitted: “I’m not a fortune teller but it’s a possibility [that Joelinton leaves this summer].

“I hope that’s not the case. I want him to stay. I love him as a person and player.

“But before a player signs a contract he has to be happy with everything.... and we are not there yet."

“He has 18 months left on his contract so it’s a possibility he’ll be sold in the summer.”

Howe’s comments will have alerted several major European teams to Joelinton’s availability, with the Brazilian likely to be wanted by numerous clubs following his form since his move to central midfield.

Data analytics experts SciSports believe that joining AS Roma would be the best fit for Joelinton, although Bayern Munich rank second and Manchester United are third.

Should Man Utd sign Joelinton?

With only one year left on his Newcastle contract this summer, the Magpies won’t be in a brilliant negotiating position regarding Joelinton and Man Utd may be able to sign the Brazilian for a very reasonable fee.

His current Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) stands at €20.7 million and a move for that fee would represent great business by Man Utd.

Erik ten Hag’s side have often lost the midfield battle during their defeats this season and adding Joelinton would improve their physicality levels and ability to press higher up the pitch.

He brings an intensity that Christian Eriksen lacks for example, while possessing more in-possession quality than Scott McTominay. Sofyan Amrabat’s loan is highly unlikely to be extended and a replacement is therefore needed.

Mason Mount has barely featured since his summer move from Chelsea, but the former England international hasn’t looked himself whenever he’s featured over the past year and he may not work in the same midfield as Bruno Fernandes.

Joelinton, on the other hand, appears to be the perfect profile to play next to Fernandes and academy wonderkid Kobbie Mainoo. That midfield three would help Man Utd close the gap to the current top four and ensure Ten Hag has a solid base to build from.

Newcastle may be reluctant to sell Joelinton to a direct rival, but Man Utd should push hard to land him as he may be the perfect player to upgrade their midfield.