Newcastle United plan move for £90m duo as La Liga giants ‘welcome’ sale of Chelsea ‘target’

The return of Champions League football to Newcastle United move a step closer on Thursday night when Eddie Howe’s side battled their way to a 4-1 win against Brighton and Hove Albion.

With just two games of the Premier League season remaining, the Magpies are four points clear of fifth placed Liverpool and know a win against Leicester City on Monday night would officially bring an end to their 20-year absence from European football’s elite.

Planning for next season is already well underway as Howe and United’s recruitment staff look to boost their squad in a bid to cope with what will be a heavy schedule next season. No matter what happens over the coming week, the Magpies will play European football over the coming months and that has placed extra importance on the summer transfer window.

United have been linked with Barcelona star Raphinha on several occasions over the last six weeks and there is an update from Spanish outlet Sport, who claim the newly-crowned La Liga champions would ‘welcome the sale of the player’ if Newcastle are willing to hand over around £70m for his services.

The Brazilian winger joined Barca from Leeds United in a £55m deal last summer and he has enjoyed a successful first season at the Camp Nou, scoring ten goals and providing 12 assists in 46 games in all competitions as his side saw off deadly rivals Real Madrid to claim the La Liga title. However, the report has suggested Barca president Joan Laporta wants to secure a deal to allow the 26-year-old to return to the Premier League as he looks to manage the ongoing financial concerns at his club.

Newcastle have also been credited with an interest in Fenerbache star Ferdi Kadioglu.

The nine-times capped Turkey international is able to play in either full-back position and in midfield and has been on United’s radar in recent weeks after Magpies representatives reportedly watched him in action on a number of occasions. Kadiolgou has scored three goals and provided four assists in 44 appearances in all competitions this season as his side have battled for the Super Lig title alongside Galatasaray and Besiktas.

A report in Turkish outlet Aksam has suggested the 23-year-old has ‘attracted the attention of many European clubs with his performances’ - but suggested it is the Magpies that ‘plan to add’ £15m-rated Kadiolgou to their squad during the summer transfer window.

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