An update has emerged regarding transfer interest from abroad in Newcastle defender Jamal Lewis.

What's the talk?

According to Turkish outlet Fotosport, Trabzonspor are keen on a deal to sign the Northern Ireland international in the January transfer window.

The report claims that it could take some convincing from the European club to convince Lewis to make the move, whilst Newcastle's stance remains to be seen.

Fans would be livid

PIF must avoid making their first blunder on Tyneside following this report of interest in the defender. They must not allow him to leave in the January transfer window, as he still has the potential to be a key part of the club's future and fans would likely be livid with his departure.

He has only played six minutes of Premier League football after being cast aside by Steve Bruce, but he could get a new lease of life following the 60-year-old's exit earlier this month. If the Saudi Arabian consortium can find a head coach with attacking intent and a willingness to allow his full-backs to bomb forward, Lewis could become a useful asset for the club.

Commenting on Newcastle's deal for the defender last season, Darren Bent hailed him as underrated and backed him to become one of the best left-backs in the division.

He told Football Insider: “Jamal Lewis, when you think about it, defensively I think he’s a little bit better than Max Aarons. I think going forward and defensively he’s very good, and underrated as well.

“I’m telling you, if he keeps progressing at Newcastle, he might be a dark horse. He could turn out to be one of the best left-backs in the country this season."

He was unable to fulfil his potential in the short-term as he averaged a dismal WhoScored rating of 6.34 across 24 appearances in the top flight in his first season on Tyneside. However, the talented full-back was used to playing in an attack-minded Norwich side prior to his switch to St James' Park and Bruce failed to make the most of his ability to progress the ball from left-back.

Lewis completed 1.2 dribbles and made 2.7 tackles and interceptions per game in the Premier League for Norwich in the 2019/20 campaign. These statistics dropped to 0.5 and two respectively in his first season at Newcastle, showing that he regressed under Bruce, having shown promise for the Canaries.

This is why the Northern Irishman must be given the chance to show what he can do under a different manager with the Magpies. PIF cashing in on him before he is given that opportunity would be a blunder as it would be a waste of his talents and they would be giving up on him far too early. Therefore, fans would likely be frustrated by his sale as, at this moment in time, he has not yet had a fair crack of the whip under an attacking manager at Newcastle.

AND in other news, PIF must ruthlessly sell shocking £75k-p/w liability, he's holding Newcastle back...