Newcastle United ‘enter race’ for £80m England star and ‘keen on signing’ Spurs target

There might be a lot of football to be played between now and the opening of the summer transfer window but there is still plenty of discussion going on surrounding Newcastle United.

The Magpies, who splashed the cash last month with the £45 million capture of Anthony Gordon from Everton, continue to be linked with several high profile players across Europe. Latest reports suggest the North East club could enter the race to sign one of the Premier League’s most in demand players, but only if they can qualify for the Champions League. Meanwhile, the club are also said to be keen on a player who has recently been linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur. Here are the latest Newcastle United transfer news stories on Sunday, February 5:

Newcastle United set to join Declan Rice race as West Ham lower asking price

Newcastle United are ‘expected to be in the running’ to sign Declan Rice this summer if they can qualify for the Champions League, according to Football Insider. The report claims that West Ham will lower their asking price from £100 million to £80 million in the summer when the England star will have just one year remaining on his current contract at the London Stadium.

Arsenal and Liverpool are said to be in ‘pole position’ to land the Hammers star while Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool have also reportedly expressed interest. Rice is said to have rejected ‘multiple’ new contract offers from West Ham who are now likely to let him leave in the summer.

Newcastle United ‘keen on signing’ Uruguayan midfielder linked with Spurs

Per a report from The Boot Room, via Portuguese publication Record, Newcastle United are keen on signing Uruguayan midfielder Manuel Ugarte in the summer as they look to beat Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur to his signature. The report claims that Sporting Lisbon ‘do not intend’ on letting the 21-year old leave but could be convinced ‘if certain clauses or thresholds are met’.

The report claims that the player was watched by Spurs when playing for Uruguay at the FIFA World Cup finals in Qatar last month. He also lined up against the North London club in the Champions League this season.