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Newcastle United boast a crop of players of a far greater collective quality than anything England's north east has witnessed over the past few decades.

True enough, the Magpies clinched Europa League football in 2012 and did so with a sturdy defence and a scintillating attack, but Eddie Howe has constructed a squad capable of sustaining success for many years, something Alan Pardew's team failed to do in their one-season European sojourn.

Not only has St. James' Park been transformed with new additions such as Bruno Guimaraes, Kieran Trippier and Alexander Isak, but players such as Joelinton and Fabian Schar have harnessed their potential and are thriving at the centre of the system.

Another, Miguel Almiron, has been positively radiant in the Magpies attack over the past few years after initially struggling.

How did Miguel Almiron previously perform for Newcastle?

The Paraguayan dynamo was signed from MLS outfit Atlanta United in a club-record £21m transfer in February 2019, having just posted 13 goals and assists apiece in the United States of America.

However, he did not hit the ground running and failed to register a direct contribution across ten Premier League appearances before the summer of 2019, starting nine times.

His first full season was not much better; while the 50-cap international bagged eight goals across all competitions, half of those came in the FA Cup against lower-league opposition, scoring just four times from 35 starts in the English top-flight.

This was the same tally as Dwight Gayle, who actually achieved the total in just ten starting displays, and despite this, he was branded a "shocking" player by journalist Matt Murphy.

In fact, Almiron actually failed to surpass that four-goal tally across any of his first three campaigns in the Premier League, plundering a measly five goals across the subsequent two terms.

Criticised for his lack of end product, the 29-year-old has always been held in good regard by the Tyneside faithful despite his profligacy due to a tenacious approach and unwavering work-rate, but there was an undeniable desire to start seeing the goals rain down with more satisfying regularity, and that they did.

How good is Miguel Almiron now?

Last season, the £60k-per-week wideman scored 11 times in the Premier League while supplying two assists from 29 Premier League starts, with eight of those goals coming in a ten-match burst of prolific form.

As per FBref, he ranks among the top 8% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for pass completion and the top 14% for goals scored per 90, highlighting a crispness in possession and newfound predatory instinct in front of goal that has left him a starring member of Newcastle's flourishing squad.

This term, he has only scored twice from nine contests but both strikes have arrived in the past two divisional clashes – promising form considering Paris Saint-Germain are now just around the corner in the Champions League.

Heralded for his “sensational” rise to the fore by journalist Josh Bunting, Almiron has now subjectively cemented himself as Newcastle's finest right winger in many years, perhaps even eclipsing the impact of Moussa Sissoko, who arguably played his finest football at St. James' Park.

Tottenham Hotspur signed Sissoko in a £30m transfer on deadline day in 2016 after the Frenchman had made 133 appearances for the Magpies, scoring 12 goals and providing 19 assists. It's safe to say despite his positive performances, making an impact in the final third was not his forte, as is the opposite with the now resurgent Almiron.

Praised for his "technical quality" and "power" by former boss Pardew, Sissoko was adept at collecting the ball and charging at opponents, thriving down the right channel, but it's probably safe to say that given Almiron's performances and role in Newcastle's rise to the Champions League, he has eclipsed Sissoko's impact and legacy at the club, with the Toon sitting in mediocrity at the time.

Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale is "going to have to move" in the near future, according to talkSPORT pundit Gabby Agbonlahor.

Is Aaron Ramsdale leaving Arsenal?

Ramsdale's future at the Emirates Stadium was plunged into doubt when Arsenal completed the surprise signing of David Raya in the summer, with the goalkeeper joining on an initial loan from Brentford, although the move is set to be made permanent.

Mikel Arteta started the England international at the beginning of the Premier League season, but he has since made the decision to drop him, with the manager claiming it was for tactical reasons. When asked why he brought Raya into the starting XI, Arteta said:

"Why? Why not?. We have all the qualities in another goalkeeper to do something when something is happening and you want to change momentum. Do it. Now my feeling is to get everybody engaged in the team. They have to play, regardless of the competition. We have to do it."

However, it is unusual for clubs to keep two top goalkeepers in their squad, given that it is difficult to keep them both happy, and Football Insider reports that suitors are lining up to sign the 25-year-old in the January transfer window.

At the moment, the shot-stopper is focused on regaining his place in the starting XI, but Agbonlahor believes he is going to have to leave if he wants to play for England at Euro 2024 next summer. The talkSPORT pundit said:

"I don’t see goalkeepers at Ramsdale’s age accepting being number two.

“He’s going to have to move because Raya will be the number one from now on. Henderson had to move from Man United, and this is the same. It’ll be frustrating for Ramsdale because he hasn’t made any real mistakes in an Arsenal shirt. He’ll be thinking ‘How’s this happened?’

“Out of nowhere, he’s lost his shirt.

“If he’s not playing, and Pickford, Henderson, Johnstone all are – he could miss out on the Euros.”

Will Aaron Ramsdale leave Arsenal?

The Englishman may have a big decision to make in the January transfer window, should he be aiming to start at Euro 2024 next summer, but you'd think that Gareth Southgate is unlikely to select him over Jordan Pickford if he is not even the first-choice for his club.

At this stage, the former AFC Bournemouth man has only been benched for two Premier League games, and he showed his support for Raya by applauding his fellow goalkeeper for a superb save to deny Brennan Johnson in the North London derby.

However, there is a chance the 6 foot 2 'keeper could become unsettled if he has a prolonged spell out of the team, particularly considering his chances of representing his country are on the line.

At the moment, Ramsdale should continue to focus on regaining his place in the starting XI, as displacing Raya, who has been lauded as "excellent" by Arteta, would make a real statement to Southgate.

However, if the "incredible" goalkeeper does not feature regularly before January, then he could consider moving elsewhere, as he may not want to play second fiddle at this stage of his career.

Arsenal can now sign a January striker target for a very affordable fee this summer, following their rejected bid in the winter transfer window.

Arsenal targeting Alexander Isak alternatives

Newcastle United star Alexander Isak is a priority transfer choice for manager Mikel Arteta, according to various reports, but a deal for the superstar Premier League striker will be very hard to pull off.

Arsenal seriously considering £60m Isak alternative after 17-goal haul

The Magpies star could be too unattainable.

ByEmilio Galantini Feb 19, 2025

Arteta is a real fan of Isak, and has the Swede at the very top of his personal striker wishlist, according to David Ornstein, but Newcastle have zero intention of selling and he could be priced out of the market.

“The way he [Isak] has developed and flourished is just spectacular, and it probably makes Arsenal rue their missed opportunity,” said Ornstein on the Sky Sports Back Pages podcast earlier this month.

West Ham (home)

February 22nd

Nottingham Forest (away)

February 26th

Man United (away)

March 9th

Chelsea (home)

March 16th

Fulham (home)

April 1st

“There’s no doubt that he is the player that Mikel Arteta has at the top of his list. If he was to sign a striker, he’s seen as perfect for Arsenal’s system and everything he offers. But Newcastle fans will hate hearing that, because they’ve got him under contract for a few years yet. He’s their key player. He’s at the centre of what they and their Saudi-led ownership are doing.

“And they’ve got no intention of seeing him go anywhere. They want him to sign a new contract. If they don’t qualify for the Champions League, maybe there’s a consideration, but the price will be phenomenally high.”

Some reports this week have even suggested that Newcastle could demand around £160 million to sell Isak, which would be the second-highest fee in football history after Neymar’s £198 million move to PSG.

As such, Arteta’s side are weighing up other options, with Arsenal seriously considering Eintracht Frankfurt sensation Hugo Ektike. Meanwhile, they’ve also been repeatedly linked with Juventus striker Dušan Vlahović.

Arsenal can sign Dušan Vlahović for just £33 million

The Serbian is about to enter the final 12 months of his contract at the end of this season, meaning Arsenal could sign Vlahovic for just £33 million in a bargain deal, according to Calciomercato.

Fiorentina’s ex-star has scored 13 goals in 29 appearances for the Old Lady this season, with Arsenal having a loan bid rejected for Vlahovic in January.

However, it appears the 25-year-old’s contract situation and fall behind Randal Kolo Muani could hand Arteta the chance to sign a prolific alternative to Isak at a very reasonable cost. Vlahovic has also been called the “strongest striker” in Serie A by his compatriot, Filip Kostić.

“He is very happy with my arrival. It feels wonderful to be a part of Juventus, which is among the biggest clubs in the world. It fills me with pride. It is important to have someone who speaks the same language. Having Dusan by my side is essential,” said Kostic in 2022.

“He is the strongest striker in the league. I’m fortunate to be able to play alongside him.”

It is safe to say West Ham’s recent history has been a bit of a rollercoaster ride, though many fans would say the past two seasons have has some of the best times in memory.

Since being relegated from the Premier League in the 2002/03 season, the Hammers have overseen 15 managerial appointments at the club, including caretaker roles.

With David Moyes now seemingly well settled into his second spell at the club, the fortunes have started to turn in their favour, particularly last season, when they won the Europa Conference League – their first trophy since 1980.

Despite the recent success, there are still a handful of bad decisions made previously that David Moyes and the club will still be regretting, with poor signings high on that list.

Who are David Moyes’ worst signings at West Ham?

Since starting his second spell at the club in late December 2019, Moyes has proved a lot of doubters wrong by keeping West Ham in the Premier League and then of course achieving European success.

Moyes, however, can’t hide from some of the mistakes he’s made in signing certain players in that time.

One player West Ham fans were happy to see the back of was midfielder Alex Kral. The Hammers signed the Czech international on a costly season-long loan from Spartak Moscow in the 2021/22 season. He would play just 256 minutes across six games over the whole season, scoring or assisting none for the club, before being swiftly sent back upon the end of his loan.

Another disappointment was forward Gianluca Scamacca.

The Italian signed only last summer for a hefty fee of around £35.5m, and only scored 8 goals in all competitions for the club. After just one season, he returned to Italy with Atalanta for £27m.

A name that perhaps stands out above all else though, would be Nikola Vlasic.

Who is Nikola Vlasic?

The Croatian midfielder signed for West Ham from CSKA Moscow in August 2021 for an initial £25.7m, before add-ons of around £7.7m, totalling £33.4m.

Vlasic was signed by Moyes to fill the void left by Jesse Lingard, who had impressed during his loan spell the season before but could not agree a permanent move with the club.

Following the arrival of his new signing, Moyes said:

“I am delighted to welcome Nikola to West Ham United. I have been watching Nikola improve over recent seasons – he has got a good goals and assists record in that time.”

While his managers’ public seal of approval would have certainly excited fans about their new arrival, it wouldn’t take long to realise Vlasic might not be the solution he was brought in to be.

The midfielder didn’t score a goal for the club until the end of December 2021, which came in a 4-1 win over league strugglers Watford.

It would be his only goal in his time at West Ham, while his assists record didn’t flatter him either.

He earned just two assists for the club, leaving his manager red-faced for his comments praising his ability to contribute to goals.

What was Vlasic’s salary at West Ham?

As well as costing the club a hefty initial transfer fee, Vlasic was reportedly earning a very lucrative weekly wage in east London.

According to Spotrac, Vlasic’s five-year deal at the club saw him earning an extraordinary £70k-per-week, totalling a little over £3.6m-per-year and being right up there with West Ham’s highest earners, amongst the likes of much more established names at the club in Kurt Zouma and Michail Antonio.

Player

Wage per week

Kurt Zouma

£120,000

Andriy Yarmolenko

£115,000

Michail Antonio

£85,000

Manuel Lanzini

£70,000

Nikola Vlasic

£70,000

His singular season at West Ham in the 2021/22 season saw the club set back a sizable cost of more than £12m for each of his contributions.

Where is Nikola Vlasic now?

After his disastrous debut season at West Ham, Vlasic wasn’t given a second chance to impress under David Moyes and was promptly sent out on loan to Serie A side Torino ahead of the 2022/23 season.

The Croatian’s season in Italy saw his contributions increase slightly, but still not to the standards expected by Moyes or of that he was registering in his time in Russia prior to his move.

He played 37 times in all competitions in his season on loan, scoring five goals and recording eight assists and did enough to impress his coaches at Torino enough to earn himself a permanent move upon the end of the season.

In August 2023, just two years after signing for West Ham, Torino completed the signing of Vlasic for around £10.3m, less than half the fee the east London side paid for him.

Still only 25-years-old, the midfielder certainly has time to turn his career around despite his two failed spells in the Premier League, having already disappointed at Everton after spending two seasons there from the 2017/18 season to the 2018/19 season.

Vlasic’s position in the Croatian national team has never been under threat, regardless of his poor performances for David Moyes’ side, although his numbers aren’t particularly impressive, being without a goal for his country for over two years now and having just one assist in that time.

How have West Ham moved on from Vlasic?

After allowing the departure of Vlasic, West Ham didn’t waste any time in finding a replacement.

Shortly after the Croatian’s initial loan move to Torino went through, the Hammers announced the club-record £51m deal to sign Brazilian midfielder Lucas Paqueta, who has certainly been a success in his time so far.

In his debut season, Paqueta scored five goals and assisted a further seven in all competitions, and was a pivotal figure as West Ham won the Europa Conference League.

His performances have seemingly justified his record fee in the eyes of many fans, as he has arguably solidified his signing as a success, which cannot be said for the now-departed Vlasic.

Manchester United are reportedly still looking to make signings in two key positions in the summer transfer window, but it depends on one important thing.

Will Man United make more signings?

The Red Devils have had an up-and-down summer to date, bringing in new signings but arguably not doing enough business up until this point. Andre Onana, Mason Mount and Rasmus Hojlund have all come in as players who should strength the starting lineup, instantly strengthening the squad depth at Erik ten Hag's disposal.

United do still look a little short of genuine top quality throughout the team, however, as last Monday's disappointing performance at home to Wolves showed, even though they ended up winning 1-0. The likes of Raphael Varane, Casemiro and Christian Eriksen are now all in their 30s, while younger players such as Antony and Alejandro Garnacho are still learning their trade.

The hope was that Harry Maguire and Scott McTominay would complete moves to West Ham, generating transfer funds and freeing up space in the squad to improve it, but as of now, the pair remain at Old Trafford.

There is now less than two weeks of the transfer window remaining, highlighting the need for United to act quickly, and a key update has emerged regarding their potential upcoming business.

Who do Man United want to sign?

According to Football Insider, United are still intending to sign a new defender and midfielder this summer, but only if players like the aforementioned duo head out of the Old Trafford exit door:

"Man United are still keen to sign a defender and midfielder but cannot strengthen until they sell players, sources have told Football Insider. The Old Trafford club had hoped West Ham’s moves for Harry Maguire and Scott McTominay would provide them with the requisite funds to complete their summer business.

"But those moves have recently broken down, leaving Erik ten Hag unable to add to his squad just days out from the 1 September deadline."

This is an encouraging update and one that suggests that Ten Hag remains hellbent on making further reinforcements before deadline day arrives. As mentioned, the display against Wolves left a lot to be desired, and while it is admittedly only one game, the team did look disjointed and lacking composure on the ball.

If United could sell Maguire and bring in a superior replacement, that would be an ideal start – someone who can really push Varane and Lisandro Martinez for minutes – while a creative midfielder who sits deep is also required, in order to ease Casemiro's workload as age slowly begins to catch up with him.

Read the latest Man United transfer news HERE…

Failure to address both positions could ultimately prove to be fatal this season, in terms of United's top-four hopes, with Liverpool, Chelsea and even Tottenham potentially being much-improved in 2023/24, following hugely below-par campaigns last time around.

The money should be there for the Red Devils to spend, given what they generate as a club, so it is unacceptable if the Glazers don't back Ten Hag and ensure that another couple of signings come in before the end of the month.

Joe Root was as surprised as anyone to see pictures of Ben Stokes at Heathrow on Monday and thought it may be a “wind up” at first.But although Root would “love to have” Stokes back, he accepts there is no point dwelling on the possibility of him returning during the current Ashes series.Stokes’ appearance with his England kit sparked speculation that he could be about to bolster the Ashes squad, but those suggestions were soon scotched when it was confirmed he was heading to New Zealand. Initially that was said to be for a “family” visit, but it soon emerged he had been handed a No Objection Certificate by the ECB to pave the way to play domestic cricket.A deal with Canterbury was confirmed on Thursday and Stokes is set to appear in the Ford Trophy for Canterbury against Otago on Sunday. But the news a few hours before that agreement was announced that Avon and Somerset Police had passed his case onto the CPS for “charging advice”, following the incident in Bristol on September 25 which led to Stokes’ arrest, has made it ever more unlikely that he will play a part in Australia.”From my point of view, anytime you can have Ben in your side it would be great,” Root said. “When I saw the pictures I was wondering whether he was going on holiday with his England bag just to wind people up.”But I would personally love to have him back. As a team, we’d love Ben to be part of the squad. Travelling to play in New Zealand just shows how much it means to him to play for England and how desperate he is to do well for his country. It is testament to his character. Fair play to him to do everything he can to get himself in the best possible place to play cricket again.”But we have to move forward and make sure guys stand up. These things are completely out of our hands and we just have to move on. All of our planning and preparation has been without Ben and how we go about things won’t change.”While the case is in the hands of the CPS – and their decision could take a number of weeks to be confirmed – Stokes will remain unavailable for England selection. There had been much debate that he could be available for Perth in mid-December but that timescale appears to have vanished.”Without the investigation being closed or moving forward, he won’t be able to play for England,” Root said. “So whether he’s here in Australia or in New Zealand or back home, the stance is the same. Until that changes there is no point in thinking otherwise. I know these things can take time.”

MatériaMais Notícias

Com Alison suspenso após a expulsão diante do Palmeiras, na última rodada, o técnico Cuca não titubeou ao ser perguntado sobre quem será o substituto do camisa cinco contra o Flamengo: Jobson herdará a vaga.

Em cinco partidas sob o comando de Cuca, o jogador só não atuou em uma oportunidade, no empate diante do Red Bull Bragantino, no último dia 9 de agosto, na Vila. Empolgado com a nova chance como titular, já que tinha iniciado contra o Sport, em Recife, o volante espera retribuir a confiança.

– Fico muito feliz com isso. O professor Cuca já vem conversando comigo desde quando chegou ao clube, vem me passando algumas coisas que ele espera para a função, dando dicas também. Espero fazer um bom jogo para retribuir a confiança que ele está depositando em mim e poder ganhar mais chances na sequência da competição – afirmou ao site oficial do Santos.

O camisa oito também valorizou a semana cheia para treinamentos do clube desde o começo de trabalho do técnico Cuca.

– Vai ser uma partida muito complicada. Todos sabem da força que o Flamengo tem, afinal, eles foram muito bem na última temporada e seguem com uma grande equipe. Uma semana cheia faz muita diferença pra gente, pois o Cuca consegue passar tudo que pretende para a partida e nós temos mais tempo para assimilar as ideias dele. Acredito que se fizermos tudo que o professor vem pedindo nos últimos dias, podemos sair com um bom resultado – concluiu.

O elenco santista faz o último treino antes do duelo contra o Flamengo na manhã deste sábado (29), no CT Rei Pelé.

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Wolverhampton Wanderers are now keen on signing Manchester City attacking midfielder James McAtee, however his current employers are reluctant to let him leave this summer despite the widespread interest, according to a report from The Daily Mail.

What's the latest Wolves transfer news?

Wolves' preparations for the new Premier League season have not been ideal, with manager Julen Lopetegui's future now hanging in the balance, amid the board's frustrations about his recent outbursts over the lack of new signings.

In recent days, the Old Gold have started to be linked with a few more new attackers, having revived their interest in West Ham United's Michail Antonio, with the Irons open to selling the Jamaica international once they get a replacement through the door.

A new midfielder is also of interest to Lopetegui, with Bristol City's Alex Scott emerging as a key target, however AFC Bournemouth are in pole position for the youngster's signature, with the Cherries now closing in on a £25m deal.

As such, Wolves have started to run the rule over potential alternative options, and Man City's Tommy Doyle has been identified as a target, but Celtic are well-placed to win the race for his signature, due to their good relationship with the Premier League champions.

The Old Gold are also interested in one of the Cityzens' attacking midfielders, with The Daily Mail now reporting they are interested in signing McAtee, who has also caught the eye of Brighton, Southampton and Sheffield United.

Some of the interested clubs are willing to bid for a permanent move, while others are only willing to take him on loan, however it is not specified what type of deal Lopetegui's side are interested in.

It may be a difficult deal to get over the line, with City reluctant to let the 20-year-old leave, but with his first-team opportunities at the Etihad Stadium looking limited, they will have to make a decision this summer.

How good is James McAtee?

There are indications that the Man City ace could be capable of going right to the very top, with football talent scout Jacek Kulig raving about him on a number of occasions, lauding him as a "special player" who's "simply too good".

Kulig has also praised the English youngster for his "left foot made of gold" and his "electric pace", and he impressed considerably on loan at Sheffield United last season, playing a key role in their promotion to the Premier League.

In 37 Championship appearances, the versatile midfielder, who is capable of playing in an advanced role and even at striker, picked up nine goals and three assists, which is a very impressive return, considering it was his first season of senior football.

McAtee has proven he is ready to make the step-up to the Premier League, and he could be an exciting acquisition for Wolves, particularly if he arrives on a permanent deal.

However, it will be a little disappointing if the starlet is only brought in on loan as an alternative to Scott, as Lopetegui ideally needs players who are committed to the club for the long-term future.

So far in the transfer window, there has been a deafening silence in terms of incomings for West Ham.

At this stage in last summer’s window, the Irons had already acquired Nayef Aguerd, Alphonse Areola, Flynn Downes, and Gianluca Scamacca. A further four players followed as David Moyes splashed over £179m, with only Manchester United and Chelsea spending more money.

Although the club won the Europa Conference League, they endured an extremely underwhelming domestic season. To ensure a more comfortable campaign and settled signings, Tim Steidten was appointed as the technical director to facilitate a more aligned transfer strategy.

Who could replace Declan Rice at West Ham?

The German’s most pressing concern is to pinpoint the right candidate the replicate Declan Rice’s monumental influence and Youssouf Fofana is one of the names in the shortlist.

According to 90min, the Hammers have identified the Monaco midfielder, Fofana, alongside Conor Gallagher, Denis Zakaria, Joao Palhinha, and Edson Alvarez as a possible signing.

Fofana’s current contract expires in 2024, but the club has an option of extending it by a year.

How good is Youssouf Fofana?

The Frenchman has been at Monaco since 2020 and has accumulated 140 appearances for the club.

Recently, he has become an indispensable component of this Monaco outfit, featuring in 104 of its last 114 Ligue 1 outings.

Fofana has amassed a formidable reputation for his commendable tenacity merged with technical mastery.

Indeed, according to Opta Analyst, the 24-year-old ranks in the best 10% for possession won among midfielders who have played at least 1350 minutes in Europe’s top five leagues.

He has combined this trait with impressive vision, as he sits within the best 14% for progressive passes and progressive carries per 90. Of these passes and carries, 5.36 and 2.75 respectively were made into the final third to indicate that Fofana has incisive forward-thinking and can be a key cog in offensive sequences.

A player of this rounded nature could be a far more attractive option than Tomas Soucek, who endured a troubling decline last season.

The Czech’s most appealing attribute was his threat from set pieces, however, he just endured his lowest-scoring season since joining the Hammers as this tactic looks to have been combated by the opposition.

Furthermore, whilst playing next to Rice he was never expected to constantly orchestrate play and spray the ball around, his passing statistics have reached dismal levels in comparison to Fofana.

The Monaco livewire outranks Soucek for shot-creating actions per 90 (2.4 vs 1.66), pass completion per 90 (81.4% vs 71.3%), progressive passes per 90 (7.24 vs 2.81), and progressive carries per 90 (2.54 vs 0.35).

The 6 foot 4 man's numbers for these categories places him within the lowest 21% in Europe’s big leagues among his positional peers.

Therefore, the £5k-per-week titan has shown he can perform both sides of the game and can take advantage of Soucek’s wavering influence by unleashing his multi-talented profile.

Described as “magnificent” by Jacek Kulig, the signing of 6 foot 1 Fofana could kill two birds with one stone by upgrading on Soucek and softening the blow of losing Rice.

Newcastle United haver allegedly discussed a shock deal for Leonardo Bonucci this summer, according to a report from Calciomercato, via The Daily Mail.

What is the latest Newcastle United transfer news?

The Toon have already got to work this summer in terms of strengthening their squad, with the Premier League outfit preparing for a campaign back in the Champions League. Having climbed into the top four in the 2022/23 season, they now want to challenge on all fronts, and that will involve ensuring they have the required strength in depth throughout their first-team – and maybe a little bit of Champions League know-how too.

They already have their eyes set on a number of other targets this transfer window. One name is Goncalo Inacio, with the Magpies keen to add him to their backline during the close season. In addition, it seems as though Newcastle may not need to stump up as much money as initially thought, eager to pay less than his £51m release clause.

Another player they want to add in a bid to bolster their defence is Marc Guehi at Crystal Palace. The Englishman would cost the club £60m, with the Eagles feeling his recent efforts on the international stage meaning his value has increased, and he will now be worth more to any interested party.

Are Newcastle United signing Leonardo Bonucci?

Now, there is a fresh name that has emerged as a potential target for them at centre-back. According to a report from Calciomercato, via The Daily Mail, Leonardo Bonucci has held 'shock' talks with the Premier League side over a potential switch to England this summer.

There is no offer on the table yet for the Italian but he has indeed spoken to the Toon over a move, with the player set to potentially leave Juventus this summer. He doesn't have long left to run on his current deal and plans to quit the game entirely next summer, but for now, he wants to have one more good season – and that looks like it could be away from Turin.

He had to spend the majority of his time out of the Juventus first-team in 2022/23, having played on just 16 occasions in Serie A for the Old Lady. Only nine of those were starts too, and he has gradually fallen more and more out of favour at the club, with his starts dwindling each year for the last three seasons.

The 36-year-old could now have a go at a new challenge elsewhere, having spent twelve seasons with the club. His latest stint with the Italian club began in 2018 but he had a further seven campaigns with them before that, with only a year at AC Milan splitting the two up. He's also played in over 500 games, has featured in the Champions League and has been a regular for his national team of Italy.

Bonucci has also never played outside of Italy so perhaps there could be concerns over both his age profile and pace in the Premier League, but one has to imagine his experience at the highest level would only serve to help the likes of Sven Botman when those European nights come calling.