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Newcastle United have identified Fenerbahce midfielder Irfan Can Kahveci as a potential alternative to Arsenal’s Joe Willock.
The Magpies are interested in bringing back Joe Willock to Tyneside after his superb short loan spell last season. Willock, 21, who arrived at Newcastle United at the start of February, scored eight goals in 14 appearances, netting in seven consecutive matches of his last seven outings to equal Alan Shearer’s long-standing record.
The 21-year-old midfielder has returned to pre-season training with Arsenal and featured in the 2-2 draw with Rangers at the weekend. Newcastle are keen on re-signing Willock but Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has dampened the Tyneside-based club’s hopes of securing a deal by claiming the England under-21 international is part of his plans for the forthcoming campaign.
However, with Arsenal unwilling to release Willock, the Magpies are in contact with Fenerbahce midfielder Irfan Can Kahveci and are preparing an offer to sign him.
Kahveci, 26, only joined Fenerbahce for €7m from Istanbul Basaksehir during the January transfer window and played 12 games, supplying two assists in the process. Fenerbahce have no plans in selling Turkish international at the moment but that could change if Newcastle proposes an attractive offer.
Steve Bruce must improve his squad to challenge for a top-10 finish
Newcastle secured a respectable 12th-placed finish on the table last season, which never looked like happening in the first half of the 2020/21 campaign. After a slow start, Steve Bruce was under tremendous pressure and only kept his job after the Magpies picked some form at the business end of the season and avoided relegation.
Steve Bruce has a decent squad at his disposal, but to challenge for a top-half finish next term, he must make some quality additions in this transfer window. One area the Newcastle boss should prioritise reinforcing is his options in the middle of the park.
The Magpies have struggled in central midfield as the two midfielders that Bruce often used last season – Jonjo Shelvey and Isaac Hayden—failed to break down teams from deep. This required the likes of Miguel Almiron and Joelinton to drop in deep and try to make things happen for the Toon Army.
The arrival of Willock in the New Year helped Bruce’s side mightily as he added a lot of energy and guile to the Newcastle attack that more often than not looked toothless.
Should Newcastle make a move for Irfan Kahveci?
As Mikel Arteta wants Willock at Arsenal for the upcoming season, Newcastle have turned their attention to Irfan Kahveci.
Kahveci is capable of playing as a central midfielder or further forward as an attacking midfielder or a left-winger. This sort of versatility could appeal to Bruce, while the Turkish international’s ability to pick out a pass and chip in with crucial goals should be a boon to the Magpies.
A player like Kahveci could allow the Newcastle forwards to play freely and give Bruce the confidence to use a much more dynamic team. The ex-Istanbul Basaksehir man could link up well with Callum Wilson, Joelinton and Almiron, whilst adding invention and energy to Newcastle’s play.
With the Toon Army in desperate need of creativity and goals next season, Bruce must make it a priority to sign an attack-minded midfielder and Kahveci fits the bill.
I am Rohan Sengupta from one of the busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a keen interest in sports, football is something I simply cannot live without and writing, discussing and analyzing the game is what I do 24*7.
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