According to reports in The Sun on Thursday, via the Birmingham Mail, West Bromwich Albion are targeting a move for Crystal Palace defender Joel Ward after he rejected a new four-year contract to stay at Selhurst Park.

The 27-year-old has been a regular in the Eagles defence over the course of the past five seasons, but the Birmingham Mail says that he now feels his game time could be limited following the appointment of Frank de Boer as the club’s new manager this summer as he has just one year remaining on his contract.

The Birmingham Mail says the Dutchman could implement a 3-4-3 formation next season and having signed Jairo Riedewald and Timothy Fosu-Mensah this summer, the versatile defender could look to seek a move away before the transfer window slams shut.

Meanwhile, Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez has been busy strengthening his own squad ahead his side’s Premier League return, and he may feel that Ward could add something to his team.

Here are three reasons Newcastle should hijack West Brom’s move for Ward…

Premier League experience

While he has strengthened his squad this summer Rafa Benitez may feel that he still needs to add some more players with Premier League experience to his side, and he would certainly be doing that if he signed Ward, who made 168 clearances in 38 Premier League appearances last term.

The 27-year-old has only missed 11 top flight matches in the last four campaigns for Crystal Palace and he certainly knows all about the attacking players Newcastle will come up against this season having been such a regular in the Eagles backline.

That knowledge could be crucial to the Magpies as they look to avoid suffering an immediate relegation back to the Championship.

Versatility

While he has often played at either left or right-back during his Crystal Palace career, Ward is a versatile player and that is something that could attract the attentions of Benitez as he looks to add to his squad.

The 27-year-old has also played at centre-back, defensive midfield and on the wing in the past and he would certainly prove to be a useful addition to the Newcastle squad in that sense, and he could easily go on to become one of the Magpies’ most important players in the upcoming campaign.

Price tag

Having turned down a new four-year contract and with less than 12 months remaining on his current deal, Crystal Palace must now decide whether they cash in on Ward now or risk losing him for nothing in 2018.

The former could be more likely and while he has proven to be a consistent Premier League performer, he isn’t one of the more fashionable names in the division and as a result he could be available for a reasonable fee this summer.

Newcastle have already shown with their additions this summer that they aren’t able to shell out huge amounts for new players and the 27-year-old certainly looks as though he would be someone that they can afford.

Do you agree, Magpies fans? Let us know below.