According to the latest reports from Daily Mail, Newcastle United are interested in signing back their former youth product Lewis Gibson. The defender had left the club in 2017 for Everton. One of the primary reasons for his departure was said to be Under 23 boss Peter Beardsley’s behaviour towards him. The Magpies stood by their coach at that time, and Gibson went on to leave for Everton in a £6m deal.
Beardsley though was later sacked by the Tyneside club after he was found guilty of racially abusing African players. The FA too got into action and banned him for seven months. With Beardsley now away from the club, Gibson can reportedly think of making a comeback to St. James’ Park.
The 19-year-old defender’s contract expires next summer in 2020. Newcastle are now looking to bring him back to the Tyneside. However, it is not yet clear whether they will get him in January or next summer when he would become a free agent.
Gibson: A cheap alternative to bolster defence
Gibson’s exit was an unfortunate event, and maybe the Magpies now want to make things right by giving him another chance. Recently reports from the Sun emerged that Newcastle will look to sign Joe Worrall in January as Steve Bruce is after a budget defender. However, Nottingham Post revealed that Worrall wouldn’t be available for cheap. So maybe the club wants to bring their former player back to bolster their options in defence.
Does United need defenders?
Steve Bruce currently has six options to choose from in central defence. Jamaal Lascelles, Fabian Schar, Paul Dummett, Florian Lejeune, Federico Fernandez and Ciaran Clark are plausible alternatives to start at the back.
Lejeune has been missing because of a long term injury, but once he is fit, he will likely make a claim for first-team places. Recently Clark featured against Manchester United after being on the fringes of the squad, and the Irishman did well. Therefore we don’t see the need for United signing a new defender.
However, Gibson is unlikely to be a first-team option straight away, and he is likely to be inducted in the u-23 team. Therefore a move for the 19-year-old might mean that it is one for the future. The England u-20 international has so far only featured in Premier League 2 in the last two seasons for the Toffees, and he will have to work his way up if the Magpies sign him.
