Saudis already eyeing '£42m transfer' with top managerial target also named in new report
Now we're officially the richest club in the world (I still can't believe what I've just typed), it's inevitable that we're going to be linked with some big names.
A pinch of salt is needed at this early stage, with Staveley only receiving the keys to St James' Park last night, but reports in Italy and Spain have already named TWO alleged targets - Antonio Conte and Philipe Coutinho.
Starting in Italy, Gazzetta Dello Sport claim the former Chelsea boss is a 'top priority' for the new owners.
He is currently out of work and available, having left Inter Milan after guiding them to Serie A glory last season.
The front page newspaper report even claims that there is 'already an offer on the table' for Conte, however it's worth noting that The Telegraph stated earlier today that he's currently unlikely to take over on Tyneside.
Elsewhere, it's not taken long for us to be linked with a big money move for Philipe Coutinho.
This comes from Sport, a Catalan newspaper, who claim that we have 'initiated contact' over a potential '€50m (£42m) transfer' for the Brazilian.
The piece also states that the player's entourage have been in touch with those close to the Saudi-backed consortium since the summer, and that a cash-strapped Barcelona would be 'willing to negotiate' on a price ahead of the January transfer window.
Could the 29-year-old be our Robinho? It feels like an easy rumour to run with for the Spanish press, but he was linked a LOT last summer when the deal was first expected to go through...
