According to reports in The Sun, Newcastle United are eyeing a January move for £7m-rated Wolverhampton Wanderers star Conor Coady, but they could face competition from Premier League rivals West Bromwich Albion for his signature.
What’s the word, then?
Well, The Sun says the defensive midfielder, who has been featuring at centre-back for Wolves under Nuno Espirito Santo this season, has caught the eye of the Magpies and the Baggies following some impressive performances that have helped his club top the Championship table.
The 24-year-old moved to Molineux from Liverpool in 2015 and he has gone on to become a key part of their first team, and it is no surprise that he is starting to attract admiring glances from top flight teams.
The Sun says Coady is rated at £7m, with the club already turning down a huge bid from Sheffield United for the player during the summer transfer window.
How well has Coady done this season?
He has been brilliant.
There would have been a few people unsure if he could make the transition into a centre-back but he has proved any doubters wrong – although he was sent off after 15 minutes in the defeat to Sheffield United last month – and he was outstanding against Manchester City on Tuesday.
The 24-year-old was actually given the captain’s armband in the opening stages of the season with skipper Danny Batth struggling to get into the side, and he showed the leadership qualities he has.
Would he be a good signing for Newcastle?
Based on his performances for Wolves over the last two-and-a-bit seasons he certainly would be, and he looks to have all of the attributes needed to make the step up to the Premier League.
It would be interesting to see whether Rafa Benitez would want to play him in defensive midfield or at centre-back though, considering he has good options in both positions with the likes Mikel Merino, Jonjo Shelvey, Isaac Hayden, Jamaal Lascelles, Ciaran Clark, Florian Lejeune and Chancel Mbemba.
What’s the verdict, then?
Well, while Newcastle surely have a better chance of signing Coady than West Brom considering they are Wolves’ arch-rivals, a January move looks unlikely given the 24-year-old’s current club are doing so well in the Championship right now.
