Pardew Set to Prize Away Newcastle Youngster?

Former Newcastle manager is lining up a raid on his former club, with outlets reporting highly-rated youngster, Liam Gibson, could be prized by Palace this Summer.

Gibson is yet to make his senior debut for the Magpies, but he played a starring role in last weekend’s friendly win over Lillestrom. Playing a left-back, Gibson linked up well with Aarons on the left-hand side, and earned plaudits from manager, Steve McClaren in the post-match presser.

The 18-year-old was also named on the bench for this month’s Premier League win over West Brom, and is regarded as one of the brightest young talents in Newcastle’s academy.

The youngster is a third year scholar at Newcastle and has not been offered a pro contract yet, meaning he would be free to leave Newcastle on a free transfer this Summer. With neither Paul Dummett or Massadio Haidara convincing as Premier League class defenders, it would be great to see somebody like Liam Gibson (a local lad from Stanley) could come through and make the position his own.

Palace, who are sponsored by Mansion Casino, have had a mixed bag of a season so far under Pardew (sound familiar?). It wasn’t too long ago that Pardew was (predictably) talking about Palace’s aspirations for European qualification this season.

But with only one point in their last six Premier League games, Palace now sit 13th in the league, and Pardew is beginnning to show some of the form that made him such an unpopular figure at Newcastle. 

To be honest, I wouldn’t know enough about Gibson to give him the glowing reference I wish I could give him. Whether he is good enough for the Newcastle first-team remains to be seen but, either way, I would hate to see Pardew prize away a youngster from our clutches. 

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