Newcastle eyeing World Cup star ‘quicker than Kylian Mbappe’

World Cup 2022 briefing: Day 18

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Newcastle are reportedly weighing up a January move for Fulham defender Antonee Robinson, who recently clocked a quicker top speed than Kylian Mbappe while representing the USA at the World Cup. The Magpies are widely expected to spend wisely in the mid-season market in order to improve their ranks as Eddie Howe looks to prepare his side for the all-important Premier League run-in.

Newcastle are currently on course to finish in the division’s top four but are thought to be keen on tinkering with their squad in January in order to add a new left-sided defender. Matt Targett is their only natural left-back as things stand, although Dan Burn and Sven Botman have been utilised in the position on a regular basis over the course of this season.

Those in power at Newcastle are eager to add some extra depth on the left flank by chasing a move for Robinson when the transfer window reopens in January, according to TEAMtalk. It is said that Inter Milan have also been keeping a close eye on the Fulham defender as of late, but it seems as though Newcastle are currently the frontrunners to secure his signature ahead of the Italian giants.

Robinson was one of the USA’s best performers at the World Cup before they were knocked out by the Netherlands last week and is widely considered among the quickest players on the planet. He managed to clock a top speed of 21.99 miles per hour in Qatar, which puts him above Mbappe in the list of the fastest World Cup stars in Qatar.

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The Frenchman recorded a speed of 21.87mph, although there is still time for him to beat Robinson’s effort with France still in the hunt for World Cup glory ahead of Saturday’s quarter-final clash against England. The blistering pace of Robinson would certainly be an asset for Newcastle if he is snapped up in January, although it remains to be seen whether Fulham would be willing to sell the 25-year-old in the middle of the season.

He is only tied down at Craven Cottage until the summer of 2024, which suggests that Fulham could be pressured into selling up in the near future to avoid the possibility of losing him on a free transfer at the end of the season. Newcastle will have no shortage of money to spend on new players in January and could well decide to invest their riches into a move for Robinson as one of several targets on their radar ahead of next year.

However, manager Eddie Howe recently warned that FFP regulations may prevent Newcastle from spending too much on new players and suggested that a policy of one in, one out could be the way to go for the Magpies in January.

“My way to take the team to new heights is to improve through the training of the players we have,” said Howe earlier this month. “If we can’t get to a certain level, then we need to find that in the transfer market.

“In my position, you are keen to sign the best players you can – but those players come at a premium. Sven Botman wasn’t cheap, Alex Isak wasn’t cheap. Those are players who can influence the starting XI.

“Do we have the finances for that? I do not know. That might impact our options. It is a considerable outlay the club have to find and with FFP, I’m not sure that’s available to us. You have to work within the guidelines of the club.”

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