A big Newcastle United transfer update has emerged on the final day of the January window regarding the future of Jamal Lewis.
What's the talk?
According to The Athletic's Chris Waugh, the Magpies are set to sanction a temporary exit for the former Norwich academy product.
He tweeted: "Another outgoing possibility for #NUFC before window closes is Jamal Lewis, whose opportunities will be limited by Matt Targett's arrival. It's understood #NUFC will let Lewis go out on loan, but unsure where yet."
Deadline day error
PIF are heading for a deadline day error with this decision to allow the Northern Ireland international to leave the club on loan.
Prior to his recent injury, he showed signs of promise at left-back. In the 1-0 win over Burnley (one of only two Newcastle victories in the league this season), the defender recorded a solid SofaScore rating of 7.0. He won five of his nine ground duels in that game whilst making an impressive four clearances, one interception, one block and four tackles throughout the clash, as per SofaScore.
At the age of 24, he also has plenty of time left to develop his game. This means that he could benefit from a direct battle with seemingly impending arrival Matt Targett for the left-back spot, and it could push both of them on to improve themselves, whereas that may not be the case with Matt Ritchie.
The 32-year-old Scot has been poor this season in the Premier League, and fans will surely be frustrated if he ends the window as the back-up to Targett instead of Lewis. He has averaged a SofaScore rating of 6.66 in the Premier League this term, showing that he has been able to deliver consistently reliable performances in the Newcastle side, which is why supporters will surely not want to see him kept in place of the ex-Canaries defender.
Therefore, PIF would be making a glaring deadline day error if they sanction an exit for Lewis instead of trying to cash in on Ritchie. Eddie Howe could enjoy having Targett compete with the Northern Irishman at left-back as it could give him plenty of options from which to choose, rather than hoping that the former stays fit so that Howe is not forced to call on the veteran ex-Bournemouth player.
AND in other news, Newcastle now agree "terms" to sign "fantastic" £20k-p/w warrior, Howe surely buzzing...