Newcastle United are keeping close tabs on Burnley winger Dwight McNeil, it has been reported.
The Toon are planning to inject pace and creativity in the wide areas and have put McNeil on their wish-list, it has been claimed by The Sun.
McNeil is one of the hottest properties in the Premier League at the moment and it has been reported that Tottenham Hotspur and Juventus are also monitoring him.
He charted a steady upward trajectory last season under the expert stewardship of Sean Dyche at the Turf Moor and put on a show a number of standout performances.
Apparently, the Clarets rate him at £30million as he is one of their prized assets. However, the Magpies are willing to roll out only £15million to secure his signature.
With Steve Bruce in the managerial hot-seat at St. James’ Park, Newcastle United are expected to finally bring reinforcements in the ongoing transfer window.
McNeil’s signing will come down to how much Bruce has the liberty to spend this summer and it is to be seen how much Newcastle United can negotiate on his transfer fee.
The rise of Dwight McNeil
McNeil spent his youth in the renowned academy of Manchester United and then switched to Burnley’s academy after he signed for them in 2014.
Last season was a breakthrough campaign for the Rochdale-born winger as he established himself in Dyche’s senior side and made his presence felt in the English top flight.
The 19-year-old mustered 21 league appearances and managed to bag 3 goals and 5 assists, and it is not surprising to see him attracting attention from other clubs.
What will he bring to the table?
McNeil is a potent attacker and has decent pace to burn. He operates down the left and is frequently involved in his team’s attacking endeavours in the final third.
The English young gun is direct with his forward runs and is an astute crosser of the ball. He holds the ball well in the final third and is crisp with his movements upfront.
He takes on his opposition in their half but what is special about him is his willingness to track back and help his team out defensively which will come in handy for a team like Newcastle who will need each and every player covering as much grass as possible.
Is he worth the gamble?
By no means is he a finished article as he needs to improve his passing skills, to begin with. Further, he has to be a lot more clinical after he gets in those advantageous positions and the fact that it is yet to be seen whether he can replicate the same promise over a period of time means at some level, this move will end up being a gamble if it goes through.
McNeil, however, can brush himself further in the coming seasons and considering that he will be a long-term solution for them once he is able to settle down, on balance, it seems he would be worth the outlay.