According to the latest reports from the Chronicle, Newcastle United are eyeing a deal for Coventry City’s midfielder Tom Bayliss. The League One star had an impressive campaign with his boyhood club, and he is seen as someone with a big future. The likes of Leeds United and Middlesbrough are also interested in this 20-year-old midfield talent.
It is believed that the English midfielder can cost around £500,000 in the upcoming summer transfer market. United reportedly want to freshen up their roster for the next season and bring their average age down. The Magpies have secured another season in the Premier League easily as Rafael Benitez has guided them brilliantly throughout the campaign.
However, there could be a massive struggle in the upcoming summer transfer market inside the club. Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley is notorious for his miserly ways, but that could change in the summer as the Magpies recently broke their all-time transfer record to sign Miguel Almiron.
Why Newcastle United need a midfielder?
The Toon will need to strengthen in the midfield department as Isaac Hayden has issued a statement that he wants to leave the club in the summer for family reasons. To go with that, Mohamed Diame is in the final few days of his contract with the club, and there are no signs yet that he would be handed a new deal in the summer.
Jonjo Shelvey has fallen well out of favour this season, and he could be sold in the upcoming transfer window with West Ham United being the prime contenders to sign him. Therefore the club can lose as many as three central midfielders in the summer, so we expect the club to replace them.
What will Bayliss bring to the table?
The midfielder played a significant role for Coventry City, but they missed out on the playoff spots this season and finished 8th. Bayliss made 41 appearances in all competitions and contributed with three goals and three assists. One of the major assets for Bayliss is his work rate and pace. Often central midfielders are not the quickest men on the pitch, but Bayliss is fast and agile. Combine that with an impressive work rate and Bayliss usually covers a lot of ground for his side in central areas. A player like this might suit Benitez’s plan perfectly as he often deploys his midfielders in defensive roles.
The youngster might take some more time to reach his true potential, but overall, the Magpies can get a reliable long term midfield option who can develop into a top talent in the Premier League. Coventry City have produced the likes of James Maddison and Callum Wilson in recent years, and Bayliss could very much be joining that list if the Toon bring him to the Premier League.
