Newcastle United and West Ham hold ‘talks’ with £16.8m midfielder

Newcastle United’s recent upturn in form suffered another blow in a stoppage time defeat to Everton in midweek.

The Magpies have now lost two on the bounce after previously going nine games unbeaten, but still find themselves nine points clear of the relegation zone with nine matches to go.

With such a comfortable cushion at this late stage of the season, the likelihood is that the Toon Army’s new owners already have one eye on next season, and on a summer transfer window that promises to be a busy one.

We’ve gathered some of the latest transfer speculation involving Newcastle United below...

Lewis set for exit

Newcastle United will tell Jamal Lewis that he is free to find a new club this summer, according to a report from Football Insider.

The defender has found himself on the periphery at St. James’ Park after being omitted from Eddie Howe’s Premier League squad for the second half of the campaign, and it is now understood that he could seal a departure from the north east in the coming months.

The Toon Army signed Lewis for around £13.5 million back in the summer of 2020, but this latest update suggests that the club’s new owners would be willing to let him leave for just £8 million.

Toon eye Neymar

Newcastle are considering an audacious summer swoop for PSG icon Neymar, according to reports in Spain.

As per Fichajes, the Brazilian has become disillusioned with life in the French capital, and could look to force an exit at the end of the season.

With plenty of money to spend and a wellspring of ambition to match, the report suggests that the forward’s discontentment could present the Magpies with a ‘golden opportunity’ to lure him to England - but a deal won’t come cheap.

As well as PSG demanding somewhere close to the world record £198 million transfer fee that they paid for the star back in 2017, it is understood that Neymar himself would be looking to secure wages of around £500,000-a-week.

Magpies battle Hammers for Blas

Newcastle and West Ham are battling to sign Nantes star Ludovic Blas, according to an exclusive from Football Transfers.

The creative French midfielder is said to be attracting Premier League interest after hitting 12 goals in all competitions, with both the Toon Army and the Irons reportedly holding ‘preliminary talks’ with the player.

This latest update suggests that Nantes could be tempted by offers in the region of £16.8 million.