[ad_pod ]This article is part of Football FanCast's Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news...Newcastle target Emil Krafth is set for a medical on Tyneside, according to Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie.

What's the story?

The Magpies look primed to wrap up the signing of Krafth before Thursday’s deadline, as Downie claims a fee in the region of £5m has been agreed.

The right-back is set for a medical, and would become the Magpies’ fourth signing of the summer, after Joelinton, Jetro Willems and Allan Saint-Maximin.

Krafth spent last season in Ligue 1 with Amiens, providing one goal and one assist over 35 appearances.

Right-back by committee

As recently as this week, Newcastle fans have been debating their right-back options ahead of the new campaign. Neither of DeAndre Yedlin or Javier Manquillo really cemented themselves in the role last season, so it makes perfect sense to sign a new player to come in and steal the show, right?

Well, looking deeper into Krafth’s season in France, one has to wonder if the £5m man will even be an upgrade on the aforementioned pair.

The 20-cap Sweden international made 1.6 tackles, 0.6 interceptions and 0.5 key passes per game last season.

Meanwhile, Yedlin boasted a far superior 1.9 tackles, 1 interception and 1 key pass despite playing in a tougher league, while Manquillo managed 1.5 tackles, 0.9 interceptions 0.5 key passes.

Clearly then, Krafth is not a particularly big upgrade on either player, and considering he is merely a couple of months younger than Manquillo and a year younger than Yedlin, it’s not exactly like he’s got massive potential and loads of room to grow.

With this in mind, one has to assume the trio will be left to compete for the role throughout the season, adopting a committee approach to the position. This is a huge risk.

A settled back four (or five) is crucial to instil leadership, organisation and an understanding between the players at the back, and there is no universe in which three average players can make up one good one.

Newcastle’s decision to effectively sign a player at the exact same level as their current options is slightly bizarre. It means they still won’t have a nailed on first-choice at left-back, and it only raises more questions than it answers.

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