A round-up of your Newcastle United transfer rumours on Monday, February 21.
Porto left-back on Newcastle transfer radar
The left-hand side of the Magpies defence is clearly a part of the team that Eddie Howe has been keen to strengthen since arriving at the club.
Matt Targett has been brought in on loan until the end of the season and has impressed in his first couple of matches. If he continues that form, there will be discussions on Tyneside about making that move a permanent one when the summer transfer window opens.
However, Newcastle seem to be assessing other potential options in the meantime and Fichajes in Spain are claiming that there is a Nigeria international on the shortlist.
Zaidu Sanusi of Porto is the man in question after he has impressed for the Portuguese giants in the last few seasons.
Magpies launch bid for highly-rated Irish talent
One of the new ownership group’s big promises back in October was to improve the club’s academy and that could start to take shape at the end of the season.
They are reportedly looking to kick off their investment in the development squads with the signing of Alex Murphy from Galway United, according to the Irish Examiner.
The 17-year-old is said to be the subject of a £100,000 bid from the Magpies after impressing during a brief trial period with Brighton.
He would also arrive on Tyneside with international experience as he has earned two caps for Republic of Ireland’s U18 side.
Phillips questions Eze’s consistency amid Newcastle links
Eberechi Eze is one of the players being heavily linked with a big-money move to St James’ Park in the summer and despite him seeming settled at Crystal Palace, the temptation of the Newcastle project might prove to be too much.
The Magpies are said to be lining up a bid of £45m, according to several sources, and it has got members of the fanbase excited at the prospect of having him and Allan Saint-Maximin on the wings.
Kevin Phillips, who is of course very well known in the north east, has claimed he would be a good acquisition but is unsure of whether he is consistent enough to justify the price tag.
“I think he would be a good signing,” he told Football Insider. “But it’s just about whether he would bring that consistency because that’s what Newcastle need to buy if they can stay up this season.
“He’ll get the fans off their seats, but will he do it week-in, week-out? He might perform only in glimpses.
“They’ve got players like him, too, in Allan Saint-Maximin and Miguel Almiron, do they really need another one that might just float through games?
“He’s obviously a good, young player but I have questions about whether he can do it consistently.”
