Kenedy fee could set new record
(Forward) The 20-year-old is regarded as one of England’s most-exciting prospects – and he scored a magnificent goal during the Three Lions’ 2-0 victory over Costa Rica at Elland Road last Thursday.
Rashford is part of Gareth Southgate’s squad for the 2018 World Cup, despite having been left frustrated by his number of starts at Manchester United last season.
The forward made 35 Premier League appearances in all for the Red Devils, but started just 17 times – scoring seven goals and providing five assists in the process.
In a feature in The Daily Mail discussing Rashford’s future, Newcastle, Everton and Leicester City were listed as being among the clubs “lining up to take the forward on loan”.
A player of Rashford’s quality would certainly be of interest to the Magpies if he becomes available, but he is not necessarily a ‘target’ so to speak.
If he excels out in Russia, Rashford may play himself back into the Man United starting line-up – but, if he struggles, then the forward may push for a loan move next season. (Attacking-midfielder) United were one of a host of clubs who wanted to sign the England international on loan in January 2016, but Conte opted to keep him at Stamford Bridge. After Loftus-Cheek excelled at Crystal Palace last season, he may be given a chance to impress at Chelsea.
Should that not be the case, then Benitez would be keen to bring the 22-year-old to Tyneside – with Newcastle likely to explore the possibility of signing a Chelsea youngster on loan this summer.
Loftus-Cheek is far from an automatic starter for England, but he should be given at least a couple of opportunities to add to his four caps in Russia. he was playing out in Turkey for Galatasaray, but they were never going to pay the £14m which Stoke forked out for the midfielder in January.
But Benitez is understood to have been impressed by the feedback he received on the Senegal midfielder – and Ndiaye was one of Stoke’s best performers during the Potters’ woeful second half of the campaign.
The 27-year-old could leave the Bet365 Stadium this summer and, if he is available for a cut-price deal, United may reignite their interest.
Given that Senegal are in one of the most wide-open groups, Ndiaye has the opportunity to show he can perform at the highest level, too. NEWCASTLE United may need to break their transfer record in order to bring Kenedy back to Tyneside this summer – with Chelsea considering cashing in on the winger.
The Blues are still yet to resolve their head coach situation, with Antonio Conte still being given a stay of execution, but Stamford Bridge officials are already attempting to draw up a transfer budget for this summer.
According to sources in the capital, Chelsea may need to offload some of their fringe players in order to raise transfer funds – and Kenedy, who is valued at around £20m, is seen as one of their most saleable assets.
Rafa Benitez has already made clear to both Kenedy and Chelsea that he wants the 22-year-old to return to St James’ Park for the 2018/19 campaign, with Newcastle open to either a season-long loan or a permanent deal.
However, if Chelsea do slap a £20m price tag on the winger as expected, then United could be priced out of the market – given that Benitez also wants to bring in a frontline striker this summer.
Under Benitez’s tutelage, Kenedy flourished last season, scoring twice and providing two assists during 13 top-flight appearances for the Magpies.
But ambitious Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig have joined Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle in expressing an interest in the Brazilian, who has two years left to run on his Blues deal.