Newcastle have been urged to sign former Liverpool star Sadio Mane this summer to "take them to the next level" ahead of their Champions League return.
Eddie Howe's side finished fourth last season, qualifying for the Champions League for the first time in 20 years. As a result, Newcastle are expected to be active in the transfer market as they look to add more strength in depth for a European campaign.
And former Manchester United striker Louis Saha believes Mane would be a perfect addition to Newcastle's squad, with German outlet Bild reporting that the 31-year-old is one of several players Bayern Munich are looking to sell despite only making a £35.1m switch from Anfield last summer.
" Newcastle United needs world-class players now, despite their amazing season, but they need players who have won titles and know how to win trophies," Saha told Betway. "That's the club's next step, and players like Sadio Mane can definitely help and provide inspiration to the team to take them to the next level. It's necessary to have players like Mane's calibre to help them get through competitions."
However, Saha went on to warn that Newcastle need to ensure they "bring in the right characters" to help them continue their progression, citing the recently relegated Leicester as a club which got transfers wrong and paid the price.
"Newcastle United need to be careful because clubs like Leicester City did not bring in the right characters and look where they ended up," Saha added. "A signing like Mane would be bringing in the right character who can help win on the biggest stages."
Saha is not the only former player who believes Newcastle should make a move for Mane this summer, with ex-Liverpool and Chelsea defender Glen Johnson claiming the forward would be an "amazing signing" for the Magpies.
"[Jurgen] Klopp should not look at Mane again," Johnson told Neue Online Casinos. "He is a fantastic player, but he would be coming back to a completely different team to the one that he left. He was great for Liverpool at the time, but it does not mean that he would be great for them now.
"I don't think they should go for him. For Newcastle though, it would be huge. Being in the Champions League will help them attract even better players, and Mane would be an amazing signing.
"They need to make the most of it this year as if they do not finish in the top four next year, they will still have Champions League quality players with them. That will therefore help them bounce back."
