After an incredible 501 days, Newcastle United made their first cash purchase since January 2013 with the recent capture of Tenerife starlet Ayoze Perez. And just like London buses, the twenty year old Spaniard was joined at St James’ Park shortly afterwards by the controversial free transfer of Jack Colback.
Fans may bemoan the fees involved or the relative reputations of the new arrivals but it is business which indicates that the club may be prepared to conduct some much needed business in the summer ahead. A tired squad with clear areas of concern may finally be given the fresh impetus it so desperately needs.
The World Cup will likely provide an unwelcome distraction from the Magpies’ recruitment plans. But with so many players keen to impress in Brazil, Graham Carr and Alan Pardew will likely be watching events unfold with some interest.
Bearing this in mind, here is PART ONE of Newcastle’s World Cup transfer hitlist.
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Click on Andre Ayew to start
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ANDRE AYEW
A winger long linked with the Magpies, the 24 year old Ghanaian’s desire to leave Marseille this summer has put a number of European clubs on alert. Ayew himself has fuelled the speculation by speaking of his “preference” to play in the Premier League.
The 24 year old equalised with a peach of a header in the recent draw with Germany.
With Hatem Ben Arfa clearly out of favour, Pardew could be interested in strengthening his attacking options with the acquisition of the Ghanaian. However, a bidding war is expected for Ayew and Newcastle will do well to convince the player to make the move to Tyneside.
ASHKAN DEJAGAH
Having gifted the Iranian the winner at Craven Cottage back in March, Tim Krul wouldn’t be pleased to see the winger at St James’ Park. The 27 year old impressed sporadically at Fulham this season though, and was arguably Iran’s most dangerous player at the World Cup.
BRAD GUZAN
Having usurped Shay Given as Villa’s number one a few season ago, Guzan has established himself as one of the club’s most consistent performers. Despite his relatively small stature, the American has almost single-handedly earned his side points with the number of saves he has made.
Unfortunately for Guzan, he has spent most of his time in Brazil so far watching Tim Howard and the rest of his international colleagues perform. But if Tim Krul is lured away this summer, the Magpies could do a lot worse than replacing him with the Villa number one.
BRUNO MARTINS INDI
Louis Van Gaal is rumoured to be interested in bringing the 22 year old with him to Old Trafford next season. The defender has achieved notoriety on the internet in recent weeks for THAT now infamous “death glare” towards Diego Costa.
Obviously Newcastle would struggle to compete with any potential offer from Manchester United. But with a reliable partner for Fabricio Coloccini needed, the Magpies should consider a move for the 22 year old that has impressed so far in Brazil.
BRYAN RUIZ
Ruiz turned down the advances of the Magpies to join Fulham back in 2011. But having spent the second half of the season on loan at PSV, the 28 year old is expected to depart Craven Cottage this summer.
Ruiz scored the winner in Costa Rica’s improbable recent victory over Italy with this impressive header.
With the club in desperate need of attacking reinforcements, Carr and Pardew could consider the prospect of signing the 28 year old once again. Ruiz has impressed in his country’s unlikely run to the knockout stages.
CARLOS CARMONA
With eight yellow cards and one red for Atalanta this season, Carmona’s disciplinary record suggests he is a player very much in the mould of Cheick Tiote.
The Chilean hasn’t featured much in Brazil so far but is rated highly in Serie A. If Pardew was looking to add more steel to his central midfield, Carmona could fit the bill.
CHRISTIAN BOLANOS
As well as lacking striking options, there is also a dearth of pace in the wide areas at Newcastle. Bolanos may be an unfamiliar name to many in England, but the FC Copenhagen winger has been linked with a move to Everton in the past.
Bolanos has looked threatening in his appearances in Brazil so far. However, at the age of thirty, the winger will have to have an exceptional tournament to convince the Magpies to deviate from their transfer blueprint.
CHRISTOPH KRAMER
Although he is unlikely to see much game time in Brazil this summer, Kramer is definitely one to watch for the future. Alongside Granit Xhaka, the 23 year old has formed an impressive midfield partnership for Borussia Monchengladbach this season.
As it stands, the player is currently on a two year loan from Bayer Leverkusen which makes it difficult for any immediate transfer. But if Kramer continues developing at his current rate, Newcastle would do well to snap him up before any of Europe’s elite.
EDER
The Portuguese striker’s name should be familiar to Newcastle fans, having reportedly attracted great attention from the Magpies last year. However, injury has severely limited the 26 year old’s impact this campaign, with just four goals to his name.
With Portugal seemingly destined for an early exit, Eder likely hasn’t done enough to convince Pardew or Carr that they should make a move. However, if the 26 year old re-discovers the form which saw him coveted by an number of suitors, the Magpies may come calling again sooner rather than later.
EMILIO IZAGUIRRE
Izaguirre hardly endeared himself to England fans with his cynical actions against Daniel Sturridge in the 0-0 draw in Miami. But the Honduran left back has impressed since making the move to Parkhead back in 2010.
Even if Davide Santon remains on Tyneside, the Magpies should seriously consider acquiring a more defensively reliable left back. Despite being 28 years old, Izaguirre could be considered as an affordable improvement to the current side.
EMMANUEL EMENIKE
Several recent reports have suggested that Emenike is set to be the subject of a transfer tussle between several Premier League clubs. Although Newcastle aren’t currently believed to be one of those sides, the urgent need for several strikers could see them turn to the in-demand Nigerian forward.
The 27 year old has impressed since transferring to Fenerbahce last summer and could be on the move once again. The forward has so far blown hot and cold in Brazil but may have convinced some of his suitors with his powerful display against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
ENNER VALENCIA
A goalscorer in Ecuador’s recent 2-2 draw with England, Valencia has netted three times at the World Cup already. The 25 year old enjoyed a prolific campaign at Mexican side Pachuca, netting eighteen times.
Capable of playing centrally or out wide, Valencia would be a versatile option in Newcastle’s attack. However, it would be a gamble for the club to move for the Ecuadorian currently plying his trade in Mexico.
ERIC MAXIM CHOUPO-MOTING
A forward capable of playing centrally or out wide, Choupo-Moting has netted twenty times in seventy four appearances at current club Mainz. However, with his contract expiring in the summer, the 25 year old has already outlined his intentions to move on.
Schalke, Roma, Inter Milan and Borussia Monchengladbach are all believed to be interested in the Cameroonian forward. At times frustratingly inconsistent, Choupo-Moting’s availability on a free and record in front of goal could interest Newcastle.
FELIPE CAICEDO
The former Manchester City, Malaga and Lokomotiv Moscow striker has hardly featured this summer. But with Shola Ameobi’s departure, Newcastle do lack a target man up top.
But having made the move to Al-Jazira as recently as January, any move for the 25 year old looks unlikely at this stage.
FELIPE GUTIERREZ
A central midfielder capable of occupying defensive and attacking roles, Gutierrez would offer a versatile option to Newcastle’s midfield. The 23 year old is strong in the tackle and a confident passer of the ball, although he does need to work on his creativity.
The Chilean does look set to have a big future in the game. However, whether he is the midfielder that Newcastle need right now is debatable.
FRASER FORSTER
With Joe Hart firmly entrenched as England’s number one, Forster is unlikely to see any game time in Brazil. However, the former Newcastle goalkeeper has impressed at Celtic, particularly in the Champions League.
If Tim Krul does move on this summer, Forster will almost certainly be considered as a potential replacement. The player himself has publicly spoken of his love for the club and would surely jump at the chance to return to St James’ Park.
GARY MEDEL
Following Cardiff City’s relegation, Medel is likely to be one of several players looking for moves away this summer. Ole Gunnar Solsjkaer has already said that he won’t stand in the way of the Chilean, should the £11.2 million signing request a transfer.
A tough tackling midfielder capable of deputising in defence, the Chilean would certainly add more bite to Newcastle’s midfield.
GRANIT XHAKA
One of two Borussia Monchengladbach midfielders on this list, Xhaka is expected to be on the move this summer. The 21 year old has impressed as a deep lying playmaker under Lucien Favre’s management in the Bundesliga this season.
After Yohan Cabaye’s departure, Xhaka could be the ideal candidate to fill the creative void. However, Newcastle will likely face stiff competition for the player’s signature, with Liverpool believed to be very keen on the Swiss international.
HECTOR MORENO
Moreno is expected to depart Espanyol this summer, although a decision on his future has been delayed until after the World Cup. The Mexican has been touted in some circles as a possible alternative to Mats Hummels in Manchester United’s transfer plans.
Although the attack is Newcastle’s primary area of concern, another reliable central defender would be welcomed at St James’ Park. While Espanyol are believed to be willing to accept less than Moreno’s release clause, any deal will still likely claim a sizable chunk of the Magpies’ transfer budget.
JAVIER HERNANDEZ
If the rumours are to be believed, Chicharito has finally grown tired of his bit-part role at Old Trafford. A proven Premier League goalscorer, Pardew should consider a move for the out of favour striker.
However, Hernandez is currently being kept out of the Mexico team by the form of Oribe Peralta.
JEFFERSON MONTERO
Various reports have linked Montero with a number of Premier League clubs in the past year alone, including Arsenal and Swansea City. Antonio Valencia is even believed to have recommended his countryman to his colleagues at Old Trafford.
Against makeshift right back James Milner, Montero had a strong showing in the recent 2-2 draw with England. With Newcastle in desperate need of attacking reinforcements, Carr and Pardew could have their eyes on Montero.
JOEL CAMPBELL
Contracted to Arsenal, the Costa Rican travels to Brazil off of the back of a successful loan spell at Olympiakos. The forward netted on ten occasions in Greece and is capable of playing in any role across the front three.
Campbell netted the first in Costa Rica’s shock 3-1 victory over Uruguay.
Reports have suggested that Campbell is already on Newcastle’s radar. Whether it is on loan or even a permanent move, the 21 year old could be the answer to the club’s current attacking woes.
JOEL MATIP
Although his contract is understood to run up until 2016, Matip is believed to be in the shop window this summer.
Available for a fee in the region of £8 million, Matip could fit into Newcastle’s current transfer blueprint. However, they could find it difficult to lure the player to St James’ Park, with Arsenal and Barcelona being linked to the defender in the past.
JORDAN AYEW
Having spent the second half of last season on loan at Sochaux, Marseille are believed to be ready to listen to offers for the 22 year old forward. Although he wouldn’t be the first name on Newcastle’s shortlist, a strong showing at the World Cup could make the Magpies pay closer attention.
The striker has been linked with West Brom in the past two windows whilst Hull are also believed to be interested.
CARLOS BACCA
Having already lost Ivan Rakitic, Sevilla will not be keen to lose another key individual this summer. But the 27 year old Colombian striker has inevitably attracted attention with his form this season, having netted fourteen times in La Liga.
If the budget allows it, Pardew should keep a keen eye on the Colombian striker.