Newcastle United ‘approach’ Liverpool target as Magpies handed injury boost vs Bournemouth

Newcastle United will look to return to winning ways this evening as they face Bournemouth in the Premier League. The Magpies have drawn four of their last five matches in the top flight but are unbeaten against the Cherries since 2017.

The clash on the south coast will be Eddie Howe and Callum Wilson’s first trip back to their old club, with the former guiding them from League Two up to the Premier League during his eight year stint.

Ahead of today’s match, we take a look at the latest headlines from Tyneside...

Jonathan Tah enquiry

Newcastle United have held talks with Bayer Leverkusen over a potential deal for Jonathan Tah, according to 90min. The report claims that the defender is interested in a move to the Premier League this summer.

Tah joined Bayer Leverkusen in 2015 and has continued to impress in Germany, being named in the Europa League Squad of the Season during the 2019-20 campaign. The 26-year-old has become a regular under Xabi Alonso this season and his form hasn’t gone unnoticed across Europe.

The Magpies are one club that have already made an approach to sign Tah as they look to bolster their defence alongside Sven Botman. However, it is thought that Liverpool are also in talks with Bayer Leverkusen and could prove to be real competition for Eddie Howe’s side.

While a move to Anfield may be a tempting proposition for Tah, Newcastle may have the advantage in the race for his signature if they were to finish in the top four this season. The Tyneside outfit currently sit fourth in the Premier League table, while Liverpool look increasingly unlikely to get Europan football in tenth place.

United will also face competition from the likes of West Ham, Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest. Spurs were reportedly in talks with the German club during the January transfer window, while Forest also failed in their attempt to lure the centre-back to the City Ground.

Isak returns

Newcastle have been handed a boost ahead of today’s clash with Bournemouth as Alexander Isak is back in the squad after being sidelined in recent days. The striker was forced off against Southampton after suffering a head injury in the Carabao Cup semi-final.

Isak failed to make United’s matchday squad as they drew with West Ham last weekend, but Eddie Howe has now confirmed that he will be back in the fold against Bournemouth. Speaking in his press conference, the former Cherries boss said: “He will be in the squad. He’s fully recovered with no problems. Initially he got hit on the head and he didn’t feel too bad but we had to follow protocols. He’s been good this week.”

Isak has been rather unfortunate with injuries since his record-breaking move to St. James’ Park in the summer, missing almost four months of action with a hamstring issue earlier in the season. The Sweden international has managed only five matches in the Premier League but already has three goals to his name.