Newcastle United are reportedly eyeing a late swoop for Jan Bednarek before Monday’s deadline as their search for a centre-back becomes more desperate.
According to Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie as quoted by GiveMeSport, Newcastle United could look to make a surprise signing before the end of the January transfer window on Monday, with reports stating that the Magpies are considering Southampton defender Jan Bednarek for a potential late winter swoop.
The Tynesiders have been very busy in the transfer market this winter, signing Chris Wood and Kieran Trippier, while a deal for Brazilian midfield maestro Bruno Guimaraes has also been completed. However, a centre-back remains elusive to Newcastle for the time being despite their best attempts.
Sevilla’s Diego Carlos and Lille’s Sven Botman were the main targets for Newcastle United in the winter market to bolster their defence. However, they have missed out on both of them since their current clubs are unwilling to trade halfway through the season, while links with AS Monaco starlet Benoit Badiashile have also cooled down lately.
The Magpies have since turned their attention to central defender with English top-flight experience and have been linked with Brighton duo Adam Webster and Dan Burn and also had a couple of bids rejected for the latter. Now, it appears that the Magpies are lining up a late big-money bid for Southampton star Bednarek, who has become the latest player to emerge on their shortlist.
Bednarek began his senior career with Polish side Lech Poznan and had a brief loan stint with GKS Gornik Leczna before establishing himself as a first-team player at Kolejorz. His standout performances meant he subsequently broke through with the Polish national side in 2017.
Bednarek joined Southampton from Lech Poznan in 2017, and after a rather slow start, he has proven to be a solid defensive pillar for the Premier League outfit. To date, the 25-year-old has made 136 appearances for the Saints while chipping in with six goals and four assists along the way.
The Polish centre-back reportedly fell out with Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl before Christmas but is now back in favour at St. Mary’s. He has been in a rich vein of form of late, notching up three goals in his last seven Premier League games while producing a rock-solid display in a 1-1 draw against Manchester City recently.
While the 25-year-old may not be an exciting high-profile signing, Bednarek has a proven Premier League track record and could immediately help in shoring up Newcastle’s backline. Standing at 6ft 4in, he has an imposing figure inside the box while he is also a big aerial threat from set-pieces on the other end of the pitch. At 25, his peak years are still ahead of him, and he has loads of untapped potential.
The 25-year-old is under contract at St. Mary’s until 2025, so prising him away from Southampton would not be easy for Newcastle. Whether Newcastle do make a late move for the Southampton defender remains to be seen.
