Newcastle Transfers: 5 Replacements For Yohan Cabaye

4. James Tomkins

The versatile West Ham star is on Alan Pardew's radar this summer and could help the Magpies in various departments. Not only could he help plug the gaping holes in the North East club's leaky defence, but he could also replace Cabaye. Tomkins's flexibility allows him to operate as a centre-back, right-back and defensive midfielder and these are all key areas that Newcastle need to address this summer. The Metro suggests West Ham would be reciprocal to doing business this summer but that Pardew's biggest hurdle to overcome is convincing new "director of football" Joe Kinear to sanction the move. Kinnear has previously blocked deals before, such as the move for Douglas earlier this summer, and it remains to be seen if Tomkins gets his personal seal of approval.
Contributor
Contributor

Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.