Newcastle tipped to launch shock bid for former West Ham ace
Pundit Chris Sutton reckons Newcastle could aim to sign a former West Ham star in the January transfer window.
The Magpies have become the richest club in the world following their £305million takeover. It has seen them linked with a higher calibre of players and managers ahead of 2022.
A top manager will surely arrive as Steve Bruce’s replacement. Brendan Rodgers, Antonio Conte and Roberto Martinez are all said to be in the running.
Reports continue to link Newcastle with Champions League-level players, too. They are monitoring the likes of Philippe Coutinho from Barcelona and Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot.
However, Sutton thinks the Tyneside outfit will have to be more realistic. They will have £50m to play with in January, which means a series of blockbuster moves is unlikely.
Newcastle are also involved in a relegation scrap. They are yet to win in the league this term and top players are not going to join if the situation fails to improve.
When asked about Newcastle on BBC Radio 5 Live, Sutton tipped the club to move for a player familiar with the Premier League.
“They will probably sign [Marko] Arnautovic or someone from China,” he said (via HITC). “They will sign mercenaries.
“That’s what they will have to do – pay over the odds. Pay them inflated prices, inflated wages. That’s the only way in January.”
Arnautovic left China in August to join Italian side Bologna. He has got off to a good start in Serie A, notching three goals and one assist in eight appearances.
Sutton added: “He normally goes where the money is. He probably saw the light after he went to China to win trophies, of course.”
Arnautovic joined West Ham for an initial £20m fee in the summer of 2017. He managed over ten goals in both the 2017-18 and 2018-19 campaigns.
He then revealed his desire to leave and was sold to Shanghai Port two years ago.
Solskjaer given little chance of seeing out the season at Manchester United
Surprise Newcastle managerial candidate emerges
Newcastle’s managerial shortlist has grown by one in recent days, according to reports.
Social media giants SPORTbible claim that Wayne Rooney is being considered at St James’ Park.
The Manchester United legend has been manager of Derby County since January, following a spell as caretaker.
He has had to deal with a number of problems as the Rams have received a 12-point deduction this season.
SPORTbible claim that Rooney is ‘extremely interested’ in the Newcastle job. He is enticed by the notion of working in the top flight.
That is despite his comments stating that he will not abandon Derby when the club is at its lowest point.
READ MORE: Newcastle eye twin opportunity as Leeds join race for familiar Chelsea man
The post Newcastle tipped to launch shock bid for former West Ham ace appeared first on TEAMtalk.