Following Eddie Howe’s approval, Newcastle United have now reportedly opened initial talks to sign a midfield reinforcement who’s already keen on the move.
Newcastle's nightmare summer goes on
Newcastle have just under a month to turn their summer around. So far, the Magpies have welcomed Aaron Ramsdale, Anthony Elanga and young winger Antonio Cordero. Whilst on paper that may sound like a solid list of incomings, the real story is that it’s been a nightmare summer full of rejection for those at St James’ Park.
Howe made his demand clear to PIF that he wanted any business done early and, to the credit of the Newcastle owners, their failure hasn’t been for the want of trying. Initial targets included Liam Delap, Joao Pedro and Bryan Mbeumo before all three headed to Chelsea and Manchester United respectively. But it couldn’t go on like this, could it?
Simply put, it could go on and has done ever since. Next on their list of targets was Hugo Ekitike. Lying in wait this time around, however, were the Premier League champions before Ekitike rejected the Magpies and became a Liverpool player.
The same story has since followed Newcastle’s interest in Benjamin Sesko, who has reportedly chosen Manchester United to send Howe and co. back to square one for the umpteenth time this summer.
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They can’t be knocked for their resilience, however, and those in Tyneside have instantly picked themselves up to go again – reportedly targeting both Nicolas Jackson and Malick Thiaw.
Reports have even gone as far as to suggest that they’ve already had an opening offer worth £26m to sign Thiaw turned down by AC Milan, having stepped up their chase for the centre-back.
Whether that ends their pursuit or they increase their offer is the big question, but the Milan defender isn’t the only new name on Newcastle’s reported shortlist.
Newcastle open talks to sign John McGinn
According to Football Insider, Newcastle have now opened initial talks to sign John McGinn from Aston Villa after receiving Howe’s approval. The Scotland midfielder is reportedly keen on a move to St James’ Park in an instant boost for Newcastle, and could yet be on his way to Tyneside this month.
Whether Unai Emery is willing to bid farewell to his captain is another question, though. Following a quiet summer of their own, Aston Villa are reportedly reluctant to sell McGinn this summer.
“He is himself very demanding. He is competitive, he always is ready to play, physically as well. I think when he is not training or playing he is resting – his energy always is full.
“He is a very good example, of how he is consistent and trying to help and to be an example, a very good example for players. I really, really appreciate a lot as a person how he is, but as a professional, he is fantastic.” (Emery on McGinn)
Whilst adding another attacker to their ranks should take priority, there’s no doubt that McGinn would add valuable leadership to the current Newcastle squad and replace the departed Sean Longstaff.
