Newcastle United are planning to sign Eintracht Frankfurt left-back Jetro Willems in January, according to reports.
The Magpies have only conceded 22 goals this season, significantly fewer than other clubs positioned higher in the table such as Arsenal (24) and Manchester United (30). Even so, Rafa Benitez is said to be looking at reinforcing his back line.
As it stands, Paul Dummett is the only recognised left-back Newcastle can call upon while right-sided defender Javier Manquillo is also sometimes used there by Benitez.
Willems, 24, has been targeted by the club as a potential option in the January transfer window for a deal worth in excess of £4.5million, according to the Daily Mail.
The Netherlands international appears to be in high demand as it is claimed the Magpies will have to compete with Roma for his signature next month.
But last season’s Champions League semi-finalists are also looking into Crystal Palace’s Patrick van Aanholt as a potential option.
Who is Jetro Willems?
Willems joined Frankfurt from PSV Eindhoven in August 2017 for £4.5 million plus add-ons, having appeared for PSV 15 times during the 2015/2016 Eredivisie season. There, he averaged just shy of four defensive actions per game, 32 clearances and 22 interceptions.
The 24-year-old also bagged two goals and created 19 chances for his colleagues. Four of those were assists – more than any other defender at the club.
The Dutchman has been a regular for Frankfurt this campaign, appearing in 19 games across all competitions, but has not registered a goal thus far. The defender could prove difficult to prise away from the Bundesliga side, who are believed to be keen on keeping him.
How Photoshop once sparked Willems to Liverpool transfer rumours
Back in 2016, Willems caused an uproar when he photoshopped himself – or at least posted someone else’s handiwork on social media – in a Liverpool shirt signing a contract with the club. This, the left-back explained, was a practical joke in response to his former teammate Georginio Wijnaldum’s move to Anfield.
“It was a joke. Let’s not take everything too seriously in life,” said Willems at the time, as reported by Football Oranje.
But when asked about a move to join up with Jurgen Klopp’s team, he replied, “You never know.”
The post Newcastle ‘plan to try and sign Jetro Willems next month’ appeared first on Squawka News.
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