Would West Ham Winger Matt Taylor Be a Good Newcastle Signing This Summer?

Ordinarily, Newcastle United’s transfer blueprint would rule out a move for West Ham winger Matt Taylor.

But this is no ordinary summer at St. James’ Park.

At 31 years old, the playmaker sits outside the Magpies’ criteria when it comes to signing players and contradicts their strategy of buying young talent with good sell-on potential.

There have been indications this summer, however, that suggest that Alan Pardew is looking to buck that trend.

In an interview with Stuart Rayner in The Journal at the end of last season, the manager admitted he was hoping for an injection of experience to help guide his young squad.

And since the arrival of new director of football Joe Kinnear, that sentiment has been echoed, with the Toon consistently linked with a move for 29-year-old Aston Villa striker Darren Bent.

If this apparent shift in policy comes to fruition, it could open the door to a potential move for Taylor, as reported by talkSPORT at the beginning of this month.

But would the former Luton Town, Portsmouth and Bolton man be a worthwhile addition to Newcastle’s squad? 

His preferred left-wing berth is currently occupied by Argentine international Jonas Gutierrez, with Frenchman Yoan Gouffran also able to operate out wide in a three-man attack.

Behind them in the pecking order is Shane Ferguson, a skilful 21-year-old who is comfortable at full-back as well as on the wing and impressed during a loan spell with Birmingham City last term.

In the face of such competition, a starting place would by no means be assured, and Taylor must ask himself if a place on the substitutes' bench is worth moving for.

On the plus side, his delivery from set pieces and crosses, coupled with his penchant for scoring the odd spectacular goal from distance, could make him a useful asset.

His Premier League experience would also tick the boxes marked out by Pardew this summer, and his direct style could well suit the manager’s tactics, if last season is anything to go by.

But United’s immediate priorities lie elsewhere. With their well-publicised search for a new striker widening, signing a squad player such as Taylor may have to wait.

There are those in the stands who believe Ferguson should be given his chance to shine, with Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill urging the Derry-born youngster to establish himself elsewhere if needs be, according to BBC Sport.

Landing Taylor would no doubt push Ferguson further away from the first-team picture, and with The Chronicle's Lee Ryder reporting that Birmingham and Wolverhampton Wanderers are ready to pounce, the arrival of a player 10 years his senior could bring Ferguson’s time on Tyneside to an end.

Such a consequence would fly in the face of the club’s long-term objectives. Bringing in experience can be beneficial, but to do so at the expense of youth seems counterproductive.

As a squad player, which is what Taylor has become at West Ham, he would clearly bolster Pardew’s options.

But in what has been an unsettled summer at St. James’ so far, he is neither the type of player the team desperately needs nor the kind of signing.