Newcastle United identify top transfer target in defender eyed by Manchester City

Fulham defender Antonee Robinson has reportedly been watched on several occasions by Newcastle United and has been identified as the Magpies ‘top target’ for the summer transfer window.

Manager Eddie Howe has several options on the left-hand side of his defence with the ever-consistent Dan Burn forcing his way to the front of the queue with a whole host of solid displays during the season. The Blyth-born defender has made the most of an injury to Matt Targett to secure his place in Howe’s side - although the former Aston Villa left-back is closing in on a return to fitness.

Paul Dummett and Jamal Lewis also remain part of the Magpies squad and were unused substitutes in Saturday’s home defeat against Champions League rivals Liverpool. However, Football Insider has reported Howe is keen to add an ‘attack-minded left-back with more pace’ to his squad this summer and Robinson is said to be the man identified by United’s recruitment staff over the last few months.

The former Wigan Athletic defender has been a consistent presence in a Fulham side that has performed above expectations this season, missing only three Premier League games during the campaign. His form has also established the 25-year-old as a regular at international level with the United States and he featured in each and every minute of their group stage games at the World Cup Finals in Qatar last year, as well as the round-of-16 defeat against the Netherlands.

Newcastle are not the only admirers of Robinson according to the report with Manchester City, Inter Milan and AC Milan all credited with an interest in the left-back. Robinson has previously come close to a move to the latter of that trio after a deal to take the defender to the San Siro during the January 2020 transfer window fell through as the last minute after a medical test revealed an irregular heart rhythm.