Newcastle United identify five summer transfer targets
Newcastle United’s desire to extract value for money out of a difficult summer window has led them to explore bids for a clutch of players relegated from the Premier League.
Leeds United’s versatile midfielder Tyler Adams, Southampton duo Kyle Walker-Peters and Romeo Lavia, as well as Leicester City pair Harvey Barnes and James Maddison, have all been discussed since the end of the season.
Southampton’s England international, James Ward-Prowse, is also of interest, although the fact he will be 29-years-old later this year, and has an asking price of more than £50 million, means that deal is less attractive at this stage.
Newcastle have spoken publicly and privately about a desire to sign two or three “elite players” this summer as they prepare for their return to the Champions League after a 20-year absence. That is still the case, but it does not mean they are not looking to stretch their transfer budget as far as it will go.
Sources have told Telegraph Sport that the prices being quoted to Newcastle at the moment are “extremely high”, raising the issue of the so-called “Newcastle tax”, with clubs asking for more money from the Saudi Arabian owned clubs than other interested parties.
With deals for the likes Bayer Leverkusen’s Moussa Diaby and RB Leipzig’s Dominik Szoboszlai proving problematic due to a combination of high transfer fees and extravagant wage demands which make those transfers unlikely, Newcastle are trying to be clever with their recruitment.
Adams was arguably Leeds’ best player last season, and also thrived at the World Cup in December with the USA national side, before his season was ended by a hamstring injury back in March that required surgery.
Sources have also indicated that Newcastle were impressed by Adams’ character and combative nature when he played at St James’ Park during a goalless draw on New Year’s Day. The 24-year-old, who arrived at Leeds from RB Leipzig for just £20 million last summer, is also able to play wide or through the middle in midfield and can also be deployed as a wing back and would hopefully be available for less than £30 million.
Another player who impressed Newcastle’s staff during their meetings last season is Walker-Peters.
The former Tottenham prospect, who has been capped twice by England, can play at both left and right back which would make him a perfect hybrid player for manager Eddie Howe.
The 26-year-old has refused to commit to staying at Southampton following relegation and could be available for a fee of around £15 million, whereas Arsenal are asking for more than £30 million for Scotland international Kieran Tierney.
Newcastle know they are not the only club tracking Lavia, after the former Manchester City youngster impressed in his first season as a Premier League starter, but keeping up to date with developments. Howe has traditionally favoured signing players with experience of English football.
Newcastle’s interest in Maddison is long-standing and they failed with a £50 million bid last summer. A similar fee is currently being discussed, although the club know they face competition from Tottenham Hotspur for the England international, who has previously indicated a desire to play in the capital.
Newcastle, though, are able to offer Champions League football and sources close to the player have revealed he is tempted by the idea of a move to the North East.
Barnes is another potentially appealing option given he was Leicester’s top goalscorer in the Premier League last season with 13 goals and Newcastle are keen to add more goals from wide areas next term.
Leicester are expected to sell both Barnes and Maddison this summer to raise funds for their rebuild in the Championship.
The feeling is relegated clubs will be far more willing to negotiate earlier in the window which means Newcastle can look to make some early progress in their summer recruitment.
Newcastle want to sign a right-sided centre back, a full back, two central midfielders and a wide forward this summer as they look to add more strength in depth to the squad in order to cope with the extra demands of European football.
