Newcastle United were linked with an audacious move for Brazil international Neymar over the weekend with reports even being carried by Marca over a possible bid for the 30-year-old. The superstar is currently out of favour with Paris St-Germain and has been getting booed by his own fans.
Unsurprisingly his representatives are looking for an escape from Paris and it probably comes as no shock that Newcastle found themselves in the headlines across Europe and beyond. However, with wages of €500,000 per week and a price tag of £200million fans will have their own views on whether United would even get around the table to talk about such a salary.
Of course, there is money to spend at St James' Park and the board are highly ambitious but sources at
Newcastle are now getting used to reports like this and are taking it with a pinch of salt. That doesn't mean there won't be anything to get excited about at St James' Park this summer though.
Read more: Premier League history suggests Newcastle United's survival quest is almost complete
In fact, it may be quite the opposite with one of the busiest summers at the club for some time expected with a host of departures and incoming deals expected. Clinching Premier League survival is the main thing Eddie Howe is focused on at the moment, but beyond that Newcastle's recruitment team are assessing a number of targets that will help the club establish themselves in the top 10 next term.
As far as box office signings are concerned, that remains to be seen but it is thought that signings like Bruno Guimaraes are the ilk of player the new owners want at the club. Bruno did not mess about when asked where he thought Newcastle could go back in January when saying on the record that the Magpies could be a "big power in world football", and that was coming from a guy that has held intensive talks about the club's vision with the powers that be.
Summer arrivals can still be exciting at St James' Park without bordering on fantasy football and a sensible transfer plan is believed to be in place at United.
Magpies linked with another Ligue 1 star - and club already have a hotline to his representatives
Ludovic Blas of Nantes is the latest name in France to be linked with Newcastle. The 24-year-old would be a classy addition to the Toon squad and could offer Howe exactly what he wants - more goals from midfield.
Blas has netted eight times from the centre of midfield this season and provided two assists and overall he has 30 goals and eight assists in just 98 matches for Nantes since joining them from Guingamp. Blas can also play in a number of positions, including striker and right-wing.
Newcastle have West Ham for company when it comes to interest in the midfield star but a deal could be done for £16.7million according to sources in France. Blas is represented by Base who also look after Kieran Trippier and Chris Wood and their company already work very closely with head of recruitment Steve Nickson so the star is one to watch this summer.
Young Magpies closing in on play-off place in Premier League 2
United's youngsters face a tricky away game at Stoke's Bet365 Stadium this Monday where they can take a big step towards qualifying for the play-offs. It's been three years since Newcastle managed such a feat when they lost narrowly to Southampton in the final on the South Coast 2-1.
United then face a home game against West Brom at St James' Park on March 28 for another crucial game. New coach Elliott Dickman has performed well after arriving last year on Tyneside from Sunderland and promotion to the top-flight of the Premier League's reserve team division is on the wish-list of the new owners after years in the basement.
Newcastle bring in new goalkeeping coach at the Academy
Former Toon goalie Tony Caig has been appointed as the club's new head of goalkeeping at the club's Academy. Caig hooks up again with ex-colleague Steve Harper after spending time alongside the Academy manager during Sir Bobby Robson's stint as boss.
Caig will look after the club's Under-23 keepers on a daily basis but also look after the club's overall strategy for goalies from Under-9 up to the second string.
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