All the latest Newcastle transfer news, rumours and gossip, as new manager Eddie Howe prepares for the January transfer window…
Which players have been linked?
Talks ongoing between Newcastle and Stade Reims over
Mohamed Salah says he is “not asking for crazy stuff” in contract talks, as he reiterated that it is up to Liverpool to decide his future.
Salah, whose deal at Anfield runs out in the summer of 2023, has publicly stated on multiple occasions that he wants to stay at Liverpool.
Arsenal have agreed a deal to send striker Folarin Balogun on loan to Middlesbrough for the remainder of the season.
Balogun will undergo a medical on Tuesday ahead of a straight loan to Championship side Middlesbrough, who will pay a portion of his wages.
Newcastle are desperately trying to sign a striker before Saturday’s match against relegation rivals Watford.
They are scrambling to replace top scorer Callum Wilson, who head coach Eddie Howe said would be out with a calf injury for two months after Saturday’s shock FA Cup third-round defeat to Cambridge United.
Philippe Coutinho has completed his Aston Villa medical and will be ready to play in Saturday’s Premier League match against Manchester United.
Coutinho is currently in France completing paperwork for his work permit and will join up with his new team-mates on Wednesday to take part in his first training session.
Newcastle have opened talks with Reims for in-form France U20 striker Hugo Ekitike in their bid to bring in a striker before Saturday’s match against relegation rivals Watford.
Frontman Ekitike, who made his debut for Reims in August, has scored eight goals in 17 Ligue 1 appearances this season and registered three assists.
Aston Villa are in advanced negotiations to sign Lucas Digne from Everton, with the left-back understood to favour a move to Steven Gerrard’s side.
The arrival of Digne would be a coup for Villa, as they appear to have beaten off competition from Premier League rivals Chelsea, Newcastle and West Ham for
Jurgen Klopp has dismissed concerns Thiago Alcantara could be ruled out for the season after the Liverpool midfielder was absent for Sunday’s FA Cup win over Shrewsbury.
The Spain international was left out of Liverpool’s squad as a Fabinho double and goals from Kaide Gordon and Roberto Firmino sealed a 4-1 victory over Shrewsbury
Zlatan Ibrahimovic matched a Cristiano Ronaldo record as depleted AC Milan won 3-0 at 10-man Venezia to move to the top of Serie A on Sunday.
Ibrahimovic opened the scoring with barely two minutes on the clock. It was the 80th team the veteran forward has scored against in the top five European leagues.
Gareth Bale is considering ending his playing career this summer if Wales fail to qualify for this year’s World Cup, but could consider joining a Championship club if he helps his country make the tournament in Qatar.
Wales face a play-off against Austria in Cardiff in March and, if they win, they will then face a showdown against either Scotland or Ukraine for a place in the finals.
