‘Crying out for’: Journalist now says 23-year-old Arsenal man is the answer for Newcastle

Transfer journalist Graeme Bailey believes he has the answer to Newcastle United's midfield problem.

Newcastle are facing the rest of the season without their big-money summer signing Sandro Tonali after the Italy international was banned for 10 months last week for his part in the illegal betting scandal that has rocked Italian football.

There have been many rumours about who NUFC will turn to in order to replace the Italian with Manchester City's Kalvin Phillips being a prime candidate. However, it was recently reported that Man City would still be looking to profit from a sale of Phillips to the tune of £8million despite his total lack of game time.

There's plenty of options to explore in January

That could be enough to put Newcastle off and make them look elsewhere.

Serena Taylor/Newcastle United Football Club via Getty Images

Of course, the Saudi Pro League has a wealth of talent that Newcastle could tap into thanks to their PIF connections, but 90mins journalist Graeme Bailey believes the answer lies closer to home.

Emile Smith Rowe is not a new player to be linked with United. The 23-year-old Arsenal midfielder is struggling for minutes under Mikel Arteta and as such is supposedly looking for a move.

Smith Rowe could follow Joe Willock's path to a better life

Newcastle could offer Smith Rowe a temporary reprieve from his Arsenal hell and the England midfielder could follow in the footsteps of Joe Willock by leaving Arsenal for a loan move to Newcastle and potentially making that move permanent if all goes well.

Graeme Bailey, speaking on the Fully Loaded Transfer Podcast says Newcastle are 'crying out' for someone like Smith Rowe.

“On Emile Smith Rowe, he’s one of these players who is getting itchy feet, he’s not particularly happy about the situation.

“Aston Villa offered a lot of money for Smith Rowe and he nearly went. He’s a player that is still interesting. He’s that number 10 Newcastle are crying out for. I think you’re missing that.

“I think he is very much on Newcastle’s radar for next summer. I think he will probably leave Arsenal next summer, Newcastle and Aston Villa both huge fans of him.”

If it's a toss-up between Smith Rowe and Phillips, we'd lean more into Smith Rowe, he's younger, more dynamic, more attacking and he'd suit our style of play better than Phillips.

Both are good options, but we definitely have our favourite.