‘If I am honest’ - Newcastle United legend name checks Man United star as missed transfer target

Former Newcastle United star Shay Given was impressed with the Magpies summer transfer business - but believes one area still needs strengthening.

The United hierarchy moved to improve Eddie Howe’s squad with the additions of AC Milan midfielder Sandro Tonali, Southampton full-back Tino Livramento and Leicester City winger Harvey Barnes. The business continued into the final week of the summer transfer window as Chelsea youngster Lewis Hall was secured on a season-long loan move that will almost certainly be converted into a permanent switch next summer.

Many had expected United to add a centre-back to their squad following an injury to Sven Botman in last weekend’s home defeat against Liverpool - and former Magpies stalwart Given has suggested Manchester United defender Harry Maguire as a possible target that should have been taken into consideration.

He told Sky Sports: “I think the business has been good. Maybe I would have looked at centre-half, if I’m honest.

“The likes of Harry Maguire. Would he have come in and helped them at the back? (Fabian) Schar has had his injury problems, (Sven) Botman is touch and go for this weekend, (Dan) Burn came into the back last weekend of course, so possibly they could have strengthened there.”

Meanwhile, football finance expert Kieran Maguire believes the Magpies may well look to offload a number of players during future transfer windows to prevent Eddie Howe having to contend with a ‘bloated’ squad and wage bill.

The likes of Jeff Hendrick, Ryan Fraser, Karl Darlow and Allan Saint-Maximin all left St James Park during the summer transfer window and they could be followed by midfielder Isaac Hayden over the coming days as he closes in on a move to Belgian club Standard Liege.

Speaking to Football Insider, Maguire said: “I think this has been relatively modest spending by Newcastle United this summer. Costs will be amortised over the life of the contracts, but Newcastle haven’t gone down the Chelsea route.

“I think they’ve offered a more standard length of contract even though they have been targeting younger players such as Anthony Gordon. So I don’t foresee a problem. At some point in time, we’re going to start to see more of a balance with Newcastle needing to sell just as much as they buy.

“But we’ve seen Saint-Maximin go to Saudi Arabia, so there’s an element of profit with that particular deal. As more and more players come in, ultimately, you don’t want a bloated squad and you don’t want a bloated wage bill as well.”