NEWCASTLE PLANNING JANUARY RAID ON UNITED

Newcastle United have a lot of money to spend on transfers after their Saudi-led £300m takeover was officially confirmed last week. It has been reported that the Magpies have around £200m available for new players. To this effect, reports in the British media claimed that Newcastle United are plotting a massive raid on Manchester United for some of their players.

The Daily Mirror revealed that the Magpies are keen on signing four Manchester United players namely Jesse Lingard, Anthony Martial, Eric Bailly and Donny Van De Beek when the January transfer window reopens in a matter of ten weeks.

England international Lingard has not been able to break into the starting XI at Manchester United after his return from a loan spell at West Ham United. Lingard had his most productive spell as a Premier League player while he was on loan with the Hammers in the second half of last season. The East Londoners wanted to keep him at the club, but the player opted to fight for his place in the Manchester United squad. Lingard has already scored two goals in the league this season with both goals coming when he was subbed on in the second half.

Apart from Lingard, French international Anthony Martial is also a target for the Magpies. The summer arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo has pushed him further behind in the attacking pecking order. Martial is behind five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo and EdinsonCavanifor the central striker role at Manchester United though he can play on the wings. Martial scored his first goal of the new season with the lone Manchester United goal in the 1-1 home draw with Everton in their last game in the Premier League.

Dutchman Donny Van De Beek and Ivorian defender Eric Bailly are also under the transfer microscope at Newcastle United.