'No brainer' - Ex-BBC man wowed by 'big' brute Newcastle now plotting to sign this summer

Former BBC pundit Noel Whelan has been giving his reaction to some Newcastle United transfer news involving Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.

As per The Daily Express, the St. James’ Park faithful are now plotting a £30m bid to sign Hojbjerg from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer.

Antonio Conte is reportedly planning a shake up of his squad, and Jose Mourinho’s AS Roma are also interested in his signature.

Report have claimed Daniel Levy was ‘furious‘ with last year’s Tyneside takeover, but those in the media believe he would still sell to the Magpies if the right offer arrived.

Speaking to Football Insider, former Leeds United and Coventry City striker Whelan has reacted to the news, claiming that it is a ‘no brainer’ for the North East club to sign him:

“As much as Bruno Guimaraes is very competitive in that midfield, he’s one that likes to get forward.

“We’ve seen that in recent weeks so that security of a Hojbjerg in there is an absolute definite. It’s a no brainer for me. That’s what they need, that kind of brute, a big, strong boy in midfield.

“Someone who’s going to break up attacks, win those second balls and keeps the attack flowing for Newcastle. That allows for a little bit more freedom for Guimaraes to get into the box.

“We have seen how clinical he can be when he makes those runs from midfield. I think that’s something that will complement the two of them. They’ve both got that tenacity in midfield as well.

“But Guimaraes is a little bit more forward-thinking. I think that would suit Newcastle down to the ground, a very disciplined holding midfield player.

“Someone who can win those second balls and is very aggressive in that midfield area.”

Hojbjerg would certainly be a big upgrade on Eddie Howe’s current options in the