Newcastle United linked with shock move for in-demand midfielder club are open to selling

Newcastle United are being linked with a surprise move for West Ham United star Declan Rice.

The Magpies are now preparing for a big season, with Champions League football returning to St James’ Park next term. Eddie Howe’s men performed admirably this season, securing a top four finish, but expectations will only rise from here.

Newcastle will be expected to challenge for top four again next season, while also juggling European football, and the Champions League no less. Significant new signings will be needed if Howe and his men are to manage the increased workload.

And we have already seen United linked with a whole host of players, with every day seemingly bringing new reports of interest. The club’s wealthy backing means they are often being linked with big moves, and the latest involved West Ham star Rice. The Hammers skipper is a man in demand, and the club’s owner, David Sullivan, has already admitted a deal is likely to be done this summer, telling BBC Sport after West Ham’s Europa Conference League victory: "It’s a fair and proper thing to do.

"West Ham is a very proper club, and we do things in a proper way. At the same time, we don’t want some club having us over and a replacement is going to cost 50 to 60 million and they’re not going to be as good as him."

With that in mind, West Ham are said to be likely to demand around £100million for Rice’s services, and it would be a huge shock if Newcastle spent that much on one player at this stage in their project, still limited by Financial Fair Play regulations.

But The Northern Echo say Rice is a target for the Magpies, with Arsenal most people’s favourite to land the England star this summer. As for Newcastle, they do need another defensive midfielder, but they likely have too many positions in need of strengthening to splash that much on one player.