The list of Southampton players that Newcastle United are looking to sign is growing day by day.
With the Saints suffering relegation from the Premier League this season, a lot of their star players are set to leave St Mary’s.
Captain James Ward-Prowse has been discussed as a possible Toon target – although he could prove to be too expensive.
His midfield partner Romeo Lavia is someone who Newcastle like, while the Magpies have also looked at 20-year-old Argentine Carlos Alcaraz.
Now a fourth player has entered the conversation, with the Telegraph stating that Eddie Howe’s side have discussed a possible move for Kyle Walker-Peters.
Newcastle interested in Kyle Walker-Peters
According to the Telegraph, Newcastle’s recruitment team have talked about potentially signing Walker-Peters. The report adds that Toon officials were impressed with the 26-year-old when Newcastle faced Southampton last season. We took on the Saints on four separate occasions, winning all four matches.
Despite the results, Newcastle were impressed with Walker-Peters, and are now looking into the possibility of bringing him to St James’ Park.
The Telegraph state that he could be available for around £15million, which would make him a bit of a bargain in this current climate.
KWP compared to Kieran Trippier
If Walker-Peters were to arrive, he would act as backup to Newcastle’s resident right-back Kieran Trippier. The 32-year-old was named the Magpies’ player of the season for the 2022/23 campaign, and was more than deserving of the honour.
However, Champions League football means more games, which means Howe is going to need to rotate. Trippier played every single game last season, but that surely won’t be possible next year.
Walker-Peters would be an excellent backup option, while he can also play on the left of defence too. That is a valuable quality to have, and could make him a very appealing option for Newcastle.
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – APRIL 30: Kieran Trippier of Newcastle United consoles a dejected Kyle Walker-Peters of Southampton following the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Southampton FC at St. James Park on April 30, 2023 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)
It is something that Trippier can do, and actually resulted in Walker-Peters being compared to the Toon defender last year.
KWP spoke about playing for England in March 2022, and shared some advice he was given by his then manager Ralph Hasenhuttl. He told the defender that proving he can play on the right and the left will strengthen his claim for a Three Lions callup.
“The manager at Southampton [Ralph Hasenhuttl] brought this up with me at the beginning of the season,” he said.
“He said if I want to play for England, it is important to show I can play on the left as well. He actually brought up [Kieran] Trippier’s name and said like him, he played at left-back in the Euros.”
That versatility has since won him two England caps, and it could also lead to him signing for Newcastle this summer.
