Magpies scout Hornets ace Sarr while Lingard battle could get costly
ISMAILA Sarr is keen to leave relegated Watford and wants to stay in the Premier League, with Newcastle United a possible option for a summer move.
The Magpies have scouted the 24-year-old recently and the winger’s wage demands would not bust the budget if United decided to follow up their interest.
The Senegal star is earning £65,000 per week with the
Hornets, who were relegated yesterday after losing 1-0 to Crystal Palace.
While Newcastle will have money to spend this summer, club chiefs are keen to ensure that wages do not spiral out of control at St James’ Park.
Sarr’s current pay packet is on par with a number of current United stars but other players might be left disappointed if they expect a big salary hike.
Soon-to-be free agent Jesse Lingard is another United target but he is already on £100,000 per week.
Juventus, AC Milan and West Ham are also keen on the Manchester United and England attacker’s signature and there has been talk he could ask for £150,000 per week.
That would make the 29-year-old the Magpies’ top earner and the club is keen to stress that they will not be handing out contracts for £200,000 per week any time soon.
The long-term aim is to qualify for Europe – and then in time, specifically the Champions League – but Eddie Howe and his backroom team know that jump can’t be made overnight.
TWO TOON GOALKEEPERS
ATTRACTING INTEREST
Freddie Woodman and Karl Darlow could both leave Newcastle this summer, with suitors already expressing an interest in the duo.
Bournemouth are keen to sign on-loan shot-stopper Woodman on a permanent basis, with the England youth international well down the pecking order on Tyneside.
The 25-year-old has just one year left on his contract and, despite playing five times for United at the start of this season, he joined the Cherries in January on loan.
Championship side Middlesbrough
are keen on 31-year-old Darlow as they look to tackle their goalkeeping problem.
The former Nottingham Forest man is currently Martin Dubravka’s back-up but also wants to play regularly, which is unlikely to happen if he remains at St James’ Park.
Darlow still has three years left on his Toon contract and has played eight times this season when Dubravka has been unavailable due to injury.
NEW DEALS FOR YOUNGSTERS IN
THE PIPELINE
A slew of academy aces could be set to agree new contracts with Newcastle United.
Midfielder Ellis Stanton is understood to be close to a professional contract with the Magpies.
Stanton has excelled after breaking from the Under-18s to the Under-23s and the 17-year-old is thought to be one of the brightest young prospects at Newcastle.
United already have exciting talent Jay Turnercooke, formerly of Sunderland, tied down for another year at least, while Lucas De Bolle is also set to stay on.
De Bolle is arguably the most likely to go from the academy into the first team at the current moment and will be assessed in pre-season.
Head coach Howe watched the Under-23s lose to Blyth Spartans on Thursday night in the Northumberland