Romeo Lavia is on Newcastle United's radar. Photo: Reuters/John Sibley. out of a difficult summer window had them looking into bids for several players relegated from the Premier League.
Leeds United all-around midfielder Tyler Adams, Southampton duo Kyle Walker-Peters and Romeo Lavia, and Para Leicester City Harvey Barnes and James Maddison have been in discussion since the end of the season.
Southampton's England international James Ward-Prowse is also of interest, although the fact that he turns 29 later this year and the asking price is in excess of £50m means a deal less attractive at this stage. .
Newcastle have spoken publicly and privately of wanting to sign two or three “elite players” this summer as they prepare to return to the Champions League after a 20-year absence. That's still the case, but that doesn't mean they don't want to push their transfer budget to the limit.
Sources told Telegraph Sport that prices quoted for Newcastle at the moment are “extremely high” , which raises the issue of the so-called “Newcastle tax”, whereby clubs ask for more money from Saudi-owned clubs than from other interested parties. .
With deals for the likes of Bayer Leverkusen's Moussa Diaby and RB Leipzig's Dominik Soboslai proving problematic due to a combination of high transfer fees and extravagant wage requirements that make these transfers unlikely, Newcastle trying to be smart with his kit.
Newcastle are attracted to Tyler Adams' versatility. Photo: AP Photo/Rui Vieira
Adams was arguably Leeds' best player last season. and also scored at the World Championships in December for Team USA before his season ended due to a hamstring injury in March that required surgery.
Sources also said Newcastle were impressed with Adams' temper and fighting spirit when he played at St James' Park during a goalless draw on New Year's Day. The 24-year-old, who joined Leeds from RB Leipzig last summer for just £20m, can also play as a wide or central midfielder and can also be used as a full-back and will hopefully be available for less. . over £30m.
Another player who impressed Newcastle staff during their meetings last season is Walker-Peters.
The former Tottenham prospect, who has played twice for England, can play both left and right back, making him the perfect hybrid player for manager Eddie Howe.
The 26-year-old refused to commit to stay at Southampton after relegation and could be available for a fee of around £15m, while Arsenal are asking for over £30m for Kieran Tierney's Scotland.
Newcastle know they're not the only club keeping an eye on Lavia after the former Manchester City youngster made an impression in his first season in the Premier League starting line-up, but always up to date. Howe has traditionally favored players with English football experience.
Newcastle have a longstanding interest in Maddison and they fell short last summer with a £50m offer. A similar fee is currently being discussed, though the club know they will face competition from Tottenham Hotspur for the England international who has previously expressed a desire to play in the capital.
James Maddison has been at the top of Newcastle's target list for some time now. Photo: Getty Images/Michael Regan. tempted to move to the north east.
Barnes is another potentially attractive option given he was Leicester's top scorer in the Premier League last season with 13 goals and Newcastle are looking to add more goals from the wing next season.
Leicester are expected to sell both Barnes and Maddison this summer to raise funds for their reinstatement in the Championship.
It feels like relegated clubs will be much more willing to agree earlier in the window, meaning Newcastle can look forward to early summer recruitment progress.
Newcastle want to sign a right centre-back, a wing-back, two central midfielders and flank forward. in the summer as they hope to strengthen the team to cope with the additional demands of European football.
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