NEWCASTLE’S prospective new owners will inject £200million to be spent on transfers, according to reports.
And the Geordies could use their new cash to swoop for out of favour Barcelona striker Antoine Griezmann.
Last Tuesday, SunSport revealed controversial owner Mike Ashley is on the verge of selling the Magpies for a knockdown £300million to a Saudi group led by Amanda Staveley.
Sources claimed the 55-year-old reduced his £340m asking price and official paperwork shows a deal is close with a Saudi Arabia-backed consortium which involves Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The move is said to be on the verge of completion as the Premier League assess the new chairman.
And the Toon’s wealthy new backers will pour cash in straight away to allow the club to immediately compete in the transfer market, according to the Mirror.
Since news of the takeover emerged, several big names have been linked with moves to St James’ Park.
But Griezmann – who is a target, according to Italian outlet Sport Mediaset – is by far the biggest of the lot.
The 29-year-old has struggled to hit his Atletico Madrid heights for Barcelona since his £107.6m transfer last summer.
The French International has managed just eight goals in 26 league appearances this season.
But Newcastle may have trouble luring him from Catalonia after SunSport previously reported the LaLiga giants were also considering using the World Cup winner in a part-exchange for Neymar.
SunSport also revealed that playing just behind him could be Benfica’s midfield playmaker Rafa Silva — but the move is currently on hold.
The Toon were working on a project to land Silva, who has been in and out of the side and looking for a possible move away.
Benfica wanted £25million for the Portugal ace but the Geordies hope to beat them down to £15m.
SunSport also revealed Everton are targeting a summer swoop for Allan Saint-Maximin, but Newcastle will surely be able to resist any attempts to sign their prized asset with an influx of cash.
On the opposite flank, Newcastle are hoping to steal a march on Manchester United and Chelsea in the race to land £35million-rated Burnley star Dwight McNeil.
The Evening Chronicle claim the club’s scouting unit have been furloughed but the 20-year-old was looked at before the coronavirus pandemic.
Alongside him, the Magpies are reportedly poised to raid Aston Villa with a £30m bid to land John McGinn.
Boss Steve Bruce is reportedly prepared to splash the cash to be reunited with the midfielder, who he signed for his former club for a measly £2.5m back in 2018.
And he could lineup alongside Matty Longstaff who SunSport exclusively revealed hopes to extend his stay at St James’.
At the back, goalkeeper Martin Dubravka has proven himself among the Prem’s elite while captain Jamaal Lascelles commands a spot in the line-up.
And a popular move for the new owners would be to make Danny Rose’s loan deal permanent after Jose Mourinho gave the left-back the green light to leave.
Trevor Sinclair is excited about the Newcastle Utd take over from Saudi consortium involving Mohammed bin Salman
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
