Newcastle United are lucky to go into yet another season in the top flight, with Rafa Benitez as their manager. The issues with their ownership and the lack of transfer funds will definitely frustrate the Spanish boss but that has not stopped him from taking care of the club’s transfer business this summer.
The Magpies are desperate to add some quality to their first team but could also be open to letting a number of players of their squad leave this summer. They also have some impressive youngsters at their academy, whose futures need to be resolved and one such player, who is now on his way out of the club is Alex Gilliead.
Born and brought up in Shotley Bridge, England, Gilliead joined the academy at Newcastle United in 2012 and spent just two years with the Magpies, before being sent out on loan to Carlisle United in 2015. He spent time at Luton Town the next season but only truly made a name for himself during his time at Bradford City.
He first joined the Bantams in January 2017 and made nine league appearances in League One, which was impressive enough to earn him a season-long loan at the start of last season. He was a crucial part of the squad for Michael Collins, who handed him 36 league starts and thus, giving him a lot of exposure.
He scored two goals in a total of 48 games in all competitions last season and showed that he is ready to take on a bigger challenge. He is highly regarded by the hierarchy at St James’ Park but Rafa Benitez does not seem to have been impressed with him and has allowed him to the quit the club this summer.
He spent six years on Newcastle United’s books but was not offered a contract extension last year, and it is now understood that Gilliead will leave the club as a free agent this summer.
A versatile winger, who can play on either flank or as a false-9, the 22-year old is a quick and strong attacker, who loves to have the ball at his feet. He has decent close control and is comfortable dribbling past players, but he lacks the final delivery that has constantly let him down.
However, he has great potential and has already attracted interest from a few clubs in the English Championship and League One. Some reports now claim that Steven Gerrard sees Gilliead as an upgrade on the options he has at Glasgow and is ready to take him to the Ibrox this summer.
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It will be a blow for the Magpies if the youngster shows progress next season but at the moment, this move is probably for the best for everyone involved.
