Bad for Miley: Newcastle could see £8m bid accepted to sign “complete” star
Newcastle United are nothing if not resourceful.
Eddie Howe has been under pressure this season, and his side have not been good enough, but two wins on the bounce in the Premier League have lifted the Magpies out of the bottom half, now only five points behind fourth-place Liverpool.
Technical director Ross Wilson is now settled into his seat at St. James’ Park, and it’s unlikely that Newcastle will splurge throughout the month, but there’s undoubtedly a desire to make a shrewd purchase or two if the right chance arrives.
A number of positions have been marked, but depth at full-backs has hamstrung Howe at times this term, so expect some movement there.
Newcastle set sights on new full-back
Lewis Miley has been something of a revelation this season, with the Geordie prospect standing in at right-back on multiple occasions, doing a job for injury-hit Newcastle and receiving Alan Shearer’s endorsement after a standout display against Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Tino Livramento made it off the bench against Palace but has been unconvincing on the fitness front all year. With Kieran Trippier, 35, out of contract at the end of the campaign, it makes sense to move for a new star.
And according to Caught Offside, Newcastle and Aston Villa are prepared to battle for Celta Vigo star Oscar Mingueza’s signature this month, with the versatile defender out of contract at the end of the season.
It would take a small fee of around €10m (about £8m) to convince the La Liga side to sell, but it’s worth stressing they want to keep the 26-year-old, who has been engaged in discussions pertaining to a renewal at the Estadio de Balaidos this term.
Why Newcastle should sign Oscar Mingueza
Mingueza cut his teeth with Barcelona and played a squad role in the first team before signing for Celta Vigo in 2022, where he has since made 121 appearances, scoring seven goals and supplying 12 assists.
The Spain international’s natural aptitude as a defender could see him supersede Miley as Livramento’s understudy, and with Howe’s midfield already jam-packed and targeting additions this year, this could be bad news for the young Toon.
That’s not to say he will be cast aside, but his playing time may be limited at a time when chances have started to pick up. But, as we have seen this season, Newcastle have needed more across a range of positions, and Mingueza could help advance this up-and-down system.
Hailed by analyst Ben Mattinson as an “underrated” player whose versatility means he can cover “the whole backline” effectively, Mingueza would certainly fit the mould that Howe likes, with both Miley and Livramento showcasing impressive tactical dynamism on Tyneside.
Oscar Mingueza – Career Stats by Position
Position
Apps
Goals + Assists
Centre-back
86
2 + 7
Right-back
74
3 + 6
Right midfield
33
2 + 5
Left-back
19
1 + 1
Left midfield
8
1 + 2
Centre-midfield
1
0 + 0
Data via Transfermarkt
There is something Trippier-esque about this wide defender that underlines his ability to promote transitional play, thus aligning with Howe’s identity as a tactician.
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As per FBref, the La Masia graduate ranks among the top 4% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for passes attempted, the top 1% for progressive passes and the top 9% for shot-creating actions per 90, emphasising the dimensions he would add to Howe’s on-the-ball set-up.
Spanish reporter Jacobo Buceta remarked in November that Mingueza is “back in [sic] his best version”, with the wideman’s “brutal” creativity really coming to the fore. Fellow journalist Vicent Burguete described him as a “hell of a player” for his “elegant & complete” skillset. It’s clear to see why he’s coveted, even as Miley makes headway.
If Newcastle wish to leap up a level and begin performing as a side capable of throwing down with anyone across Europe, this is the move Howe and Wilson must make, shrewdly layering the team before grander plans come summer.
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