Newcastle United eye game-changing move for Liverpool icon as target gives transfer verdict

Newcastle United’s lack of squad depth has proven to be their Achilles heel in recent games after consecutive league defeats to Everton and Tottenham Hotspur. In both games the Magpies have looked fatigued and failed to show the urgency going forward that fans have been accustomed to in recent months during the Eddie Howe era.

As the January transfer window approaches, it looks increasingly likely that Eddie Howe and his scouting team will look to rectify this issue. With that in mind Newcastle World takes a look at the latest transfer stories from St James’ Park including talks of a move for a former Liverpool hero, as well as recent developments involving an ex-Wolves star.

Newcastle eye game-changing move for Liverpool icon

Newcastle United’s Saudi links have been a divisive subject amongst Premier League fans in recent months. So much so that club’s held a vote to decide whether to put a temporary ban on transfers between ‘associated clubs’ in the upcoming winter transfer window.

Ultimately 13 clubs voted in favour of introducing the ban, which did not meet the threshold of 14 which is required to introduce a new legislation. This ruling, therefore, opens the door for Newcastle to exploit their Saudi links and potentially use them to their advantage.

Many outlets have spoken about the pursuit of Ruben Neves, but he is not the only name on Newcastle’s radar with Caught Offside reporting that Sadio Mane as a player in Newcastle’s sights. The Senegalese international is a Premier League icon who enjoyed impressive spells at both Southampton and Liverpool.

The 31-year-old scored 90 goals in 196 matches for Liverpool and helped them lift the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup and the Champions League before his departure to Bayern Munich. Mane spent just one unsuccessful season in the Bundesliga before making the move to Saudi Arabia - but it appears that his Premier League career might not be entirely over.

Al-Nassr are one of four Saudi clubs with PIF connections and TeamTalk claims the Magpies are hopeful of adding the star to provide further competition for both Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes. Mane has enjoyed a prolific career in the Premier League and could even be deployed as a centre forward if a deal was to take place.

Former Wolves star gives verdict on Newcastle United links

Ruben Neves has been one of the most talked about transfer stories in recent months, but the Portuguese international has distanced himself from links of a move to St James’ Park. Neves left Wolves to join PIF owned Al-Hilal in the summer and claims he was also the subject of interest from Newcastle.

The 26-year-old told BBC Sport: “I don’t go. I think that the rumours are because of the owner of the clubs of course, and because I’ve played in England as well. There was Newcastle interest before I came here but I’m really happy here, my family’s really happy, so I’m having a great time.”

He added: “Everything is going really well for me and I want to stay here.”