In a recent report, Shields Gazette has revealed that Newcastle United are getting close to finalising a transfer for English starlet Matthew Bondswell this summer. It is believed that the Magpies are hoping to sign the English youngster, who has left Red Bull Leipzig and will be available on a free transfer at the end of this campaign (via Shields Gazette).
Bondswell’s Recent Rise In German Football
The 18-year-old started his career at Nottingham Forest before he decided to seal a move to Germany to play for Leipzig back in 2018. He has graduated from the German club’s academy but never managed to make a senior appearance for them.
Therefore, Leipzig boss Julian Nagelsmann chose to send Bondswell out on loan to FC Dordrecht last summer, but his chances to catch the eye was hampered by injuries. He has missed a significant chunk of this campaign due to a knock, so maybe it makes sense for him to seek a move back to England so that he can gain some first-team experience at the highest level.
However, Bondswell is still quite raw and would need time to develop his game and adapt to the physical nature of English football. Hence, the English whizkid might struggle to get into Steve Bruce’s starting XI as he is currently not good enough to compete with Jamal Lewis at St. James’ Park every week.
What Does The English Left-Back Bring To The Table?
Bondswell is a quick and agile full-back who can make some encouraging runs down the left flank. He loves to attack and is not shy of taking on the opposition and beating them off the dribble to get to the byline. The English teenager can cause a few problems in the opponent’s half but can be caught out defensively due to his inexperience. He needs to work on improving the defensive side of his game and has to avoid getting injured if he intends to taste regular first-team football at the senior level.
Is Bondswell A Prospect For The Future?
Bondswell has shown some promising signs during his time at Leipzig and is undeniably a prospect to look out for in the future. His attacking prowess as a left-back makes him an attractive option for the Magpies to consider for the long-run. All in all, Steve Bruce would be wise to engineer a move to bring him to Tyneside as he will be available for free and could be a real asset for his Newcastle team in the years to come.
