According to the latest reports from the Sun on Sunday (17/2; page 61), Newcastle United had tried their luck in the January transfer window to sign Liverpool’s youngster Adam Lewis. The left-back was in the final few months of his contract, but the reports from the Sun adds that the 19-year-old has accepted a new four year deal with the Merseyside club. It is believed that Lewis is set to be promoted to the senior team by next season to be the understudy of Andy Robertson.
The left-back has a terrific opportunity to be the second choice at Anfield by next season as Alberto Moreno is in the final few months of his deal and there is a good chance of him leaving the club in the summer.
The Magpies have been looking for a left back as apart from Paul Dummett; they don’t have an outright left back in their squad. On occasions, versatile winger Matt Ritchie has filled in that spot. Therefore, one can make out why Benitez was keen on someone like Lewis last month.
To fix this problem, the club signed Antonio Barreca on loan from Monaco until the end of the season. However, Benitez will again have to dive in the market at the end of this current season to look for his replacement.
There is no official confirmation by the Merseyside outfit regarding Lewis signing a new contract. Therefore, the Magpies might still have a glimmer of hope of signing him. However, the 19-year-old was named in the list of players who travelled to Marbella for a warm weather training camp. Therefore that indicates that Klopp sees him as a prospect for the first team.
Lewis is a typical modern-day attack-minded fullback and given his on the ball abilities; he can start in an advanced position down the left as well. The England u-20 international has even been tried out as a central midfielder and didn’t look out of place one bit in that role as well. The youngster has provided seven assists and one goal this season while playing for the Reds in the Premier League 2 and UEFA Youth League and is definitely a big prospect for the Merseyside club.
Missing out on him shouldn’t be too big a blow for the Toon as they are well covered in the left back spot for the time being after they signed Italian fullback Barreca. Lewis was always going to be a longshot as Liverpool rate him quite highly, and it was almost inevitable that the Reds would keep hold of him.
