Newcastle United add Kyle Walker-Peters to wish list

Southampton full-back Kyle Walker-Peters has emerged as a transfer target for Newcastle United, according to The Daily Mail.

Walker-Peters first came through the ranks at Tottenham Hotspur, earning his first professional contract in 2015. He spent five years in north London, before making the switch to Southampton in search of regular game time.

His performances at the Saints earned him plenty of attention, and even an England call-up last year. He made his international debut in a friendly against Switzerland, and featured in the following outing against the Ivory Coast.

Despite impressing at St. Mary’s, however, the 26-year-old was unable to save his side from relegation. He is one of a few players expected to depart in the transfer window, with The Daily Mail reporting that Newcastle United are eyeing him up.

The Magpies enter the new season off the back of one of their most fruitful campaigns in decades. They qualified for the Champions League and qualified for the Carabao Cup final.

Next season, they’ll be hoping to go one step further and put an end to their 68-year trophy drought. And, with a busier fixture schedule to worry about, manager Eddie Howe will require additional depth in his squad.

Walker-Peters could be the perfect man to provide cover and competition in defence. He is proven at Premier League level, and is capable of playing on either side as a full-back.

However, the report states that Newcastle will prioritise other targets before making a move on the England international. It was previously rumoured that Howe is operating on a budget of around £75 million.

The imminent signing of AC Milan’s Sandro Tonali will take a huge bite out of that figure. Meanwhile, the likes of James Maddison and Joachim Andersen are believed to be higher up on their wish list.

Newcastle will begin their season with a home clash against Aston Villa, before a trip to reigning champions Manchester City.