EDDIE DESPERATE FOR DEAL
NEWCASTLE boss Eddie Howe fears a frustrating end to the January window.
The Toon boss had a shopping list a mile long coming into the month but has struggled to get deals over the line,
He has brought in Kieran Trippier from Atletico Madrid and Burnley hitman Chris Wood.
But Howe knows it will take a lot more than that to keep the Toon in the Premier League.
Jesse Lingard is the man he wants to pull the strings in midfield.
Drop
It has emerged that talks have been going on for weeks over the Manchester United schemer.
Newcastle have reportedly offered Ralf Rangnick £4m just to get Lingard on loan until the end of the season.
Given that you could probably buy the 29-year-old for less than £20m that seems a lot.
But Newcastle would pay even more than the £4m should Lingard help them to beat the dreaded drop.
Lingard has been stopped from signing for West Ham where he was so successful last season.
That’s because the Hammers are part of the fight for a top-four spot with United. Lingard is with the rest of
the Red Devils squad training in the United Arab Emirates.
And Rangnick is a fan – even though he’s rarely started this season.
He said: “He’s a really good player, I see that in every training session.
“For me it’s normal that other clubs like, for example, Newcastle show interest in him.”
Lingard is thought to be keen as he’s desperate to win his place back in the England squad in time for the World Cup later this year.
He knows that isn’t going to happen while he’s sat in the Old Trafford stands.
Lingard wants a loan because he will assess his options for a transfer at the end of this season.
Howe would love to bring him in.
He said: “I’ve always said from day one I back the players we have, regardless of who we recruit.
“But looking at Chris
Wood and Kieran Trippier, I thought they have been really magnificent for the team.
“They have made huge contributions and that’s the power.
“If you can get it right I think you can elevate the team and help the team to greater heights.
“We’re still looking to do that, but I do back the players that we have here already.”
Along with Lingard, Howe wants to improve his options at central defence.
Stopper
Club chief Amanda Staveley is having talks with its Saudi backers this week in a bid to release funds for a late, late shopping spree.
Diego Carlos is the clear target with the Sevilla stopper saying he fancies a move to the Premier League.
The Magpies have offered around £30m for the Brazilian but he has a ridiculous release fee of £80m.
Sevilla boss Julen Lopetegui has hinted that £50m would get the deal done.
That seems a lot to pay for a player who needs to hit the ground running but it shows how desperate Newcastle are to beef up their squad.