Sport
Six Newcastle transfer targets this summer.
Will it go through or won’t it? As Newcastle’s takeover at the hands of an insanely wealthy Saudi consortium continues to rumble on, we’re still no clearer as to whether it will be ratified by the Premier League and their fit and proper persons test. That hasn’t stopped the media from circulating endless gossip about an array of global stars that Newcastle might target. So we thought we would put together six of the most reported and most interesting. Here are six Newcastle transfer targets this summer.
Gareth Bale
The Wales and Real Madrid star has fallen out of favour with manager and fans alike at the Bernebeu and did himself no favours when he held up a banner saying ‘Wales, golf, Madrid, in that order’ during an international game in November. Unfortunately for Real Madrid, Bale is under contract until 2022 and earning an estimated £350,000 per week which means that, even though they’d love to shift him, they can’t.
No other club had the money to take Bale off Madrid’s hand, until now perhaps with the Welshman becoming one of the Newcastle transfer targets. With wages likely to be no issue for the Geordies going forward, they could easily afford to make Bale the kind of marquee, statement signing that would send shockwaves through the Premier League. Unfortunately for them, he seemingly doesn’t fancy it.
Wilfried Zaha
The Crystal Palace academy product was Manchester United’s last ever signing under Sir Alex Ferguson but his stint at the club was a disaster and he ended up back in South London. Despite being a hero to the fans, Zaha handed in a transfer request last summer after chairman Steve Parish refused to sanction moves to Arsenal and Everton, who failed to meet his asking price.
A proven performer in the Premier League, Zaha might relish the opportunity to join a host of star recruits at Newcastle and the prospect of putting him on the opposite wing to Allan Saint-Maximin would be enough to get Newcastle fans drooling whilst putting the fear of God into opposition defenders. One of the more likely Newcastle transfer targets perhaps.
Kalidou Koulibaly
Napoli’s central defender has become one of the finest in the world in recent seasons and is much sought after by a host of top clubs, including Manchester United and Liverpool who reportedly fancy him to partner Harry Maguire and Virgil van Dijk respectively.
Napoli apparently want the best part of £70m for the Senegal star which rules out most clubs in the current climate but Newcastle won’t be deterred and have apparently swayed him with the lure of a huge contract.
Odsonne Eduard
Newly-crowned Scottish Champions Celtic could lose one of their prize assets who has seemingly become one of the Newcastle transfer targets. 22-year-old Frenchman Odsonne Eduard has lit up the SPL since joining in 2018, netting 37 goals in 59 appearances.
Allegedly he now fancies making the next move in his career and Newcastle are rivalling Arsenal for his signature. Though traditionally a bigger club in terms of silverware and European qualification, Newcastle are only five points behind Arsenal this season and with a huge cash injection will probably overtake them in the near future. With his whole career ahead of him, Eduard has plenty of time to see Newcastle rise up the league.
Alfredo Morelos
Alternatively, Newcastle could raid Celtic’s city rivals Rangers for their marquee striker, Alfredo Morelos.
The 23-year-old Colombian is extremely talented but has proved a controversial figure with a series of on and off-field incidents transforming him into something of a pantomime villain. However, as with most pantomime villains in football, opposition fans love to hate him because he is undeniably very good at football.
Could a move to the Premier League get Morelos under control and allow him to tap into his ability even further?
Philippe Coutinho
From one of the most sought after players in world football to something of a nomad in just a couple of seasons. When Philippe Coutinho exited Liverpool to link up with the likes of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez at Barcelona he would have been forgiven for feeling as though he had the world at his feet.
However, after just one season with the Catalonian giants in which the Brazilian was in and out of the side, he was loaned to Bayern Munich with an option for the Bavarians to buy. Bayern boss Hansi Flick has cast doubt on whether they will take up the option though.
With no home for Coutinho back in Barcelona or in Munich and his bridges seemingly burnt in Liverpool, could he return to the Premier League via a sensational move to Newcastle? According to reports, he has joined the list of Newcastle transfer targets so it could be on the table.
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