Newcastle are vying with the big boys as they prepare for the Champions League and Villa plot a £55m double swoop from Man City.
MAGPIES TO STEAL SHINY STARS?
As Newcastle prepare for European football next season, Eddie Howe and his recruitment team are scouring the transfer market for ‘powerful, high-level and cachet forwards’ according to Mundo Deportivo.
And that desire has drawn them to Barcelona star Raphinha, who ‘likes them a lot’ and could be on the move from the Nou Camp as the hierarchy search desperately for a way to balance the books.
It’s claimed Newcastle ‘will spare no expense’ to be back in the elite of European football, which could well be the case next season as they close in on Champions League qualification for the first time since 2002.
It’s claimed the Saudi Public Investment Fund are ‘willing to pay out the necessary capital to strengthen a squad with three or four incorporations’, with Raphinha among their top targets.
That could be bad news for Chelsea, who having missed out on the 26-year-old last summer, remain interested in bringing him to Stamford Bridge, with reports suggesting they could make a bid for both him and teenager Gavi, who could be available on the cheap.
And Newcastle could also get in the way of Arsenal’s transfer plans as the other name mentioned by Mundo Deportivo is Vitor Roque.
Reports suggest the Gunners have been ‘pushing hard’ to sign the Athletico Paranaens striker, and are preparing a £44m bid, but given Newcastle’s spending power and possible entry into the Champions League, Howe’s side will provide stiff competition for the title challengers.
KYLE AND KALV
Reports last week suggested Aston Villa are ‘close to signing’ Kalvin Phillips from Manchester City, and now it’s claimed Unai Emery is also keen on bringing his teammate to Villa Park.
It was claimed Phillips, who has barely featured under Pep Guardiola since his £42m from Leeds last summer, will be allowed to leave club as they look to tie up a deal for Chelsea’s Mateo Kovacic, whose representatives reportedly sat down with City bosses on Friday to discuss terms.
And Phillips could be joined at Villa by Kyle Walker, who’s slipped down the pecking order at the Etihad in recent times.
Football Insider claim Villa are preparing a £55m bid for both Phillips and Walker. Sounds like good business.
MAC ATTACK
After Fabrizio Romano claimed last week that Alexis Mac Allister’s transfer from…
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