The defender Newcastle United need vs. the defender Bruce wants

Newcastle United are in the hunt to make some transfers in January, but some targets are questionable…

This week is an exciting one for Newcastle United as most of the first team players have returned to training in preparation for Saturday’s clash against West Brom. It is a must win game for Slaven Bilic and the Baggies, but it is one of the most winnable games of the season for Steve Bruce and the Magpies.

That being said, the immediate attention is focused on defeating West Brom, but behind the scenes, the front office is compiling a list of transfer targets for the January transfer window. There have been some reports stating that Jetro Willems is keen on returning to Newcastle United permanently, which is great news for the fans, but another report is far less exciting, and most fans will hope this does not happen.

According to Eurosport, Newcastle United continue to monitor his situation and physical status through Steve Bruce’s relationship with Manchester United assistant coach Michael Carrick. Jones has gone from regular starter at Old Trafford to being cut from the Premier League squad, and his last game for the Red Devils was on January 26th against Tranmere Rovers (FA Cup).

Jones’ confidence is presumably at an all-time low, and it would take a few months to get Jones back into proper match fitness. The last thing Newcastle United need is another player who is seeking a confidence boost. The Magpies need players who can have an immediate impact in the second half of the season.

With Jones currently on £80,000 per week, his wage demands could cause a problem in the negotiation process as well, if the transfer interest reaches that point. Instead, Newcastle United need to focus on getting a deal for Jetro Willems over the line.

The Dutchman proved his worth as a loanee last term until his season-ending ACL injury against Chelsea. Willems was, without a doubt, the best wing-back the team has seen in years. He is not the fastest player, but he is technically gifted, creates big plays for others, and has a midfielder’s eye for goal when the opportunity presents itself.

Eintracht Frankfurt have repeatedly said they are willing to make Willems available at a cut-rate price. The Toon would be making a mistake if they pass up that opportunity, and they would be making a terrible mistake if they prioritize a deal for Phil Jones over Jetro Willems.