Newcastle United’s new owners have discussed the possiblity of signing Jesse Lingard and Eric Bailly from Manchester United in the January window, according to reports.
After the takeover at St James’ Park, Newcastle are now the richest club in football as Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) have assets worth up to £320 billion.
Amanda Staveley, who led the consortium which funded the takeover and is now a director at Newcastle United, has already vowed that the playing squad will be strengthened.
According to the Daily Telegraph, Newcastle’s new hierarchy are considering a transfer for Lingard in January, although they are unsure whether the player would be willing to make the move having rejected them for West Ham last campaign
Earlier this week, Lingard suggested that he may need to leave the Red devils in order to secure a place in England’s World Cup squad next year.
‘Obviously, the World Cup is a long way away but you need regular football. I was so close to going to the Euros and I think it plays a huge part and it’s a big factor,’ said Lingard.
‘If you’re playing over 20 or 25 games, you know you’re knocking on the door. I’m not doing any harm at the moment – if I keep performing well you never know what might happen so I keep confident in myself and when I get time on the pitch I’ve got to carry on doing what I’m doing.
‘You want to start games. When I’m a sub I’m always ready to play. It’s one of those things I’m going through at the moment but I think on recent performances hopefully we’ll see a change in the next few weeks.’
Meanwhile, the Northern Echo claims that Bailly is also on Newcastle’s shortlist with the club’s hierarchy keen to improve their options in defense before the end of the campaign.
Bailly is yet to play for United in the Premier League this season and has played just one game in the Carabao Cup so far.
The Ivory Coast international is facing huge competition for a place in Solskjaer’s side after United’s decision to sign Raphael Varane from Real Madrid in the summer.
Speaking in May, Bailly said he would not be happy with a bit-part role at Old Trafford and would push to leave if he was not given a regular role in the team by Solskjaer.
Meanwhile, the Telegraph claims that Newcastle are also targeting Burnley defender James Tarkowski. And It’s claimed that he is ‘likely’ to join the club in the January window and is ‘keen on the move’.
