A move for Wilfried Zaha this summer would raise questions about the potential negative impact the forward could have on the Newcastle United dressing room. The Sunday papers linked the Magpies with a summer move for the 30-year-old whose contract with Crystal Palace expires in June.
The Ivory Coast international has been the star player in Palace's side over the last decade - first between 2010 and 2013, in which his form saw him make a big money to Man United. However, he only played twice for the red side of Manchester and spent time on loan at Cardiff City before returning to Crystal Palace permanently in 2015.
Since returning to Selhurst Park, Zaha played more than 200 times, scoring 66 goals - and on more than one occasion been linked with moves across London to Tottenham or Arsenal. With his contract up in the summer, he is reportedly looking for one last move.
Newcastle have been linked but speaking on The Everything is Black and White Podcast, our Newcastle United editor Aaron Stokes, alongside host Andrew Musgrove, played down the prospect of Zaha moving to Tyneside.
"For me, he just doesn't do it for me," said Stokes, "He's far too moany, by far the moaniest player in the Premier League.
"I just don't think I could get behind the deal. He's done wonders in that Palace team for years - a side that always lacked a striker and an attacking threat without him, he's always been the standout but for me, that type of player, I just wouldn't be going anywhere near it."
Musgrove agreed that a deal to Newcastle isn't one he can see happening. "He's a good player but if you're going to rock the boat, i.e the dressing room and the unity, then you're not rocking the boat for someone like Zaha. If you look at Anthony Gordon, people question it but...
"He's raw," Stokes interrupted. "And young and at the right age where you can mold him into what you want him to be but Zaha now coming towards the end of his career and struggling a bit with injuries, I just think it's not one that fans would get behind."
The question regarding a potential swoop for Zaha prompted further discussions about how long Newcastle United and those sanctioning transfers can maintain what many fans see as a 'no egos' policy inside the dressing room.
"This is the topic we keep talking about," Stokes added. "When is the moment that Howe says 'right, we're going to park this desire to sign players who only fit into this group, and we're going to take the risk on someone because they're so good?'
"You could make the argument that this summer is the time to do it if they get Champions League football and they need to take that step up but I just think the group is so harmonious at the moment why would you throw someone like Zaha into that mix? Why would you throw someone - and I'm not saying Zaha would think this - but someone who thinks they are better than the team?
"That cohesion that they've got at the moment - they're all fighting for each other, all on the same page - and if you can eke out this into next season then that's the way you've got to go rather than risk signing someone who doesn't fit into this team."
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