5 players Newcastle have been linked to this past week
Dimitar Berbatov
Ever since a fresh-faced Dimitar Berbatov first mentioned that his striking idol was Alan Shearer (and whose isn’t?) rumours linking him with a move to Newcastle have been swirling around. While he’s always remained firmly outside of our price range, and a luxury player the club couldn’t necessarily accommodate, now he’s a free agent the rumours have surfaced again.
While the prospect of signing a 35 year old free agent isn’t exactly mouth-watering, it’s not one that many fans would dismiss out of hand. At his age he won’t be expecting to be starting, and he could provide the expertise and guidance that our young strikeforce desperately needs. Plus a one year deal would probably suit both sides, allowing the club time to develop players ready for the hopeful return to the top flight.
Likelihood? Never say never: this time the rumours might just be true.
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Steven Caulker
Now Coloccini has finally left these shores, Newcastle are in desperate need of some centre-half cover. The only out-and-out players we have in that position are Lascelles and Mbemba, and the idea that a 21 year old is going to be our most senior central defender doesn’t exactly fill you with much confidence.
Therefore Caulker fits the bill. Although he’s only a few years older than our current choices that’s a few more years’ experience we don’t currently have and he’ll arrive with the added bonus of having played in the Premier League too.
Caulker is currently on the books at QPR following loan spells at Southampton and Liverpool last season (only appearing in 12 games all year). Although he moved back to the Premier League after QPR got relegated, a move to Newcastle could be appealing given our chances of coming straight back up.
Likelihood? Similar age range to our current three signings, with experience of playing at this level and above. Strong possibility that he’s lined up and ready to arrive.
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An ex-Real Madrid man with experience of the Champions League as well as winning a World Cup? Chances are Arbeloa isn’t the one that immediately comes to mind when those accolades are mentioned, but the free agent has recently been linked with a move to the north east.
Able to play on both sides of defence, and having already played under Rafa at both Liverpool and Madrid (albeit briefly at the latter), he’ll arrive as a perfect replacement for Janmaat who seems odds on to depart during the summer. Like Berbatov he’ll provide a level of experience desperately needed at the club - it just depends on whether he has any better offers.
Likelihood: Very possible, given the Spanish connection and the Rafa links. Plus he’s free.
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Another Spaniard that has been linked with a move over the past few days. The current Boro man may be reluctant to drop back down a division so soon after securing promotion, but a reunion with his compatriot Benitez - who gave him his senior debut when at Liverpool - may be what tempts him to make the short journey north. Boro’s Premier League status after this coming season is by no means certain so Ayala may fancy making the move while the going’s good. That said, there’s no guarantee Newcastle will be heading back up either.
Likelihood: File this one under ‘unlikely’.
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A surprise addition given that he’s neither a free agent nor already playing in England like most of the recent rumoured arrivals, 22 year old full back Jonny currently plays for Celta Vigo. After featuring for all of Spain’s youth sides, and over 130 times for his club, he’s now being linked with a move to Newcastle. This summer the club will be expected to sign a few more players from overseas as Rafa makes use of his foreign connections, and Jonny certainly ticks a lot of boxes. Boro were linked with him a while back, and whether he comes or not could depend on interest from Premier League clubs.
Likelihood: With rumours that a £5m bid has already been put forward by Newcastle we should find out sooner rather than later whether this one’s going ahead, but it does seem likely.
