Newcastle United is ahead in the race to sign a soon-to-be free agent, according to reports, after his present club failed to reach an agreement on a new contract with him.
Following a disappointing season for Eddie Howe’s side, there are genuine questions regarding the Premier League’s financial fair play rules going into the summer.
As things stand, they appear to need to sell one of their players before they can invest in the squad, and CEO Darren Eales just fueled those flames by admitting that it was “the nature of the beast” back in January.
“Any decision we make will always be against the backdrop of the medium to long-term benefit for the club. It’s difficult to say specifically about certain players, but I can say that, if we’re going to get to where we want to get to, at times it is necessary to trade your players,” he explained. “It’s just the nature of the beast.”
The alternative would be to operate on a tight budget this summer, with European football and the associated prize money appearing doubtful at the moment, with Eddie Howe’s side currently sitting 10th.
Joelinton appears to be on the verge of being sold this summer if the club is unable to extend his contract until 2025, with reports circulating that his midfield partner and compatriot Bruno Guimaraes, who has a £100 million release clause in his contract, could be the one to leave.
But the club may have just found a solution to that particular pair of potential departures.
According to sources from Italy, Newcastle are first in line for France midfielder Adrien Rabiot, who is certain to leave Juventus this summer as the Turin club struggles to sign him to a new contract.
The former PSG player has long been linked with a move to the Premier League, and nearly joined Manchester United two summers ago, only for the deal to fall through.
According to Italian outlet Tutto Juve, four clubs are vying for his signing, and he could finally make his transfer to England. However, Newcastle United and Premier League rivals Arsenal are ‘the clubs most interested in signing him’ this summer.
Eddie Howe’s team held conversations with Rabiot’s agent last month, but it appeared that Tottenham had jumped ahead of them in the hunt for the Frenchman. However, the most recent claims from Italy have firmly placed the Tyneside outfit back in the picture.
Rabiot is accustomed to playing regularly in the Champions League, so the lack of European action may be a source of concern for the Magpies. However, if they could persuade the Frenchman to support their initiative, they might be able to sway him. Furthermore, Rabiot has previously stated that a return to Paris Saint Germain is unlikely.
“It’s [the interest] flattering on the one hand, but it remains difficult when you know how it finished,” he told reporters. “You should never close any door, but that will not be my priority in any case.”
With suitors for the midfielder likely to be scarce, a hefty salary offer might tip the balance in Newcastle’s favor this summer.
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