Scott McTominay transfer verdict as up to 10 players expected to leave Newcastle United

Would Scott McTominay be a good signing for Newcastle?

LK: “So I think there are two sides to this argument. On the one hand, you can look at it through the lens of signing a fringe Manchester United player isn’t going to take you past them in the division, such in the Magpies’ ambitions eventually. And there is also the caveat that better value can likely be found from the continent.

“However, I think he is a player of the physical profile that could work very well for United on the right-hand side of the midfield three, adding size, strength, athleticism and finishing to a department in need of beefing up.

“He is no sitting midfielder, though, that’s definitely a myth that needs to be dispelled.”

On the transfer window, where do Newcastle need to strengthen in the summer?

LK: “Final third quality is a must. Where United have fallen short, barring the obvious in relation to squad depth, is scoring goals.

“United need a creative spark and some clinical finishing, something they definitely lack. Other areas, of course, need signings, but for me adding goals is essential if progress is to be seen on Tyneside.”

Do you envisage many players leaving the club at the end of the season?

LK: “Absolutely. The problem being, will it even make the Magpies any money? There’s too many sub par players on the books still, and so few takers. Unsurprisingly, of course. This is the biggest hangover of the Mike Ashley regime.

“I expect anywhere up to 10 players to leave United in the summer, including the likes of Jeff Hendrick and Isaac Hayden, but getting them to leave on a permanent basis could well prove the biggest hurdle to further squad improvement.”

12 games left to play... when do Newcastle finish in the table come May?

LK: “I want to say top four, but I do think Liverpool will continue to push on in the final months of the campaign, I also believe Spurs could see a boost from getting rid of the spectre of Antonio Conte earlier than many expected.

“So I’m saying a safe sixth. However, if Newcastle show late pre-break form throughout April, that will definitely be revised to thoughts of the Champions League theme tune at St James’ Park.”

Manchester United at home... revenge on the cards?

LK: “Revenge for what? They’ve gotten the better of Newcastle so many times in recent memory it’s hard to know what for. Just another game. Three points is all that matters, not the opposition.”

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