Newcastle transfer news – Fernandez ‘too expensive’, ASM becomes agent
Newcastle United are expected to once again enter the transfer market in January as they seek to maintain their position in the Champions League places. The Magpies currently boast the joint-best defensive record in the Premier League and as such it appears that positions further forward will be the top priority for Eddie Howe. Here Express Sport details all the latest rumours and gossip as the club weighs up their winter business.
Enzo Fernandez
Howe has distanced Newcastle from reports linking the club with a move for Benfica star Enzo Fernandez suggesting the player would be too expensive. The 21-year-old was one of the standout players at the World Cup, becoming an integral part of the Argentina midfield as the South Americans lifted the trophy for the third time. Alan Shearer was among those to recommend him for a move to St James Park however it does not look like it will happen.
“I’m aware of him and I know him but I think the transfer fee is a bit lumpy,” Howe said of Fernandez. “I don’t think you ever just analyse the World Cup and sign a player off the back of those performances. There’s a huge body of work that goes into signing a player.
“It’s never off four weeks that you use to sign a player. It’s not to say we won’t use the World Cup as a recruitment tool to look at players, but solely on those performances? We wouldn’t do that.”
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Marcus Thuram
Allan Saint-Maximin has encouraged his club to pursue a move for Borussia Monchengladbach star Marcus Thuram after he represented France at the World Cup. The striker has also been linked with a move to Liverpool and could be available for a cut-price fee in January due to his contract expiring at the end of the season.
“He is a great player and I hope we have a chance to take him here,” Saint-Maximin told The Shields Gazette. “I was so happy for him [to play at the World Cup]. I have chatted with him.
“For me, he’s a great player. I’ve known this guy a long time. I’ve been playing football with him when I was very young. He’s an incredible guy.”
Reports from Germany suggest that the winger could get his wish with Bild reporting the north-east club have tabled a £10million bid for his services. The Bundesliga side are believed to be holding out for a little more at £10.5m and hopes are high within both camps that a compromise can be sought and a deal concluded.
Memphis Depay
While Newcastle’s owners the PIF are the richest in the Premier League, Financial Fair Play regulations mean the club still have to carefully monitor their spending with bargains sought.
In Memphis Depay, the Magpies may have found the ideal signing. The Dutchman is likely to leave Barcelona soon with his contract expiring at the end of the season and Spanish publication Sport reports that he could be available for as little as £9m as the Catalan giants seek a return on their investment in the player.
Howe is believed to be ‘very interested’ in the move but the club faces a challenge to convince him to make the move to Tyneside as the player is said to have reservations about playing at St James’ Park.
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