Newcastle United ‘stepping up’ interest in £25m Everton star

Newcastle United may not be back in action until April, but the Magpies are still garnering plenty of attention this weekend.

With plenty of money to spend in the summer, and a newly buoyant atmosphere surrounding the club, it’s little wonder that so many column inches are being dedicated to the Toon Army’s potential recruitment drive, and the past couple of days have been no different.

We’ve gathered up some of the latest transfer speculation below...

Howe wants Godfrey

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe wants to sign Ben Godfrey from Everton in the summer transfer window, according to The Mirror.

It is understood that the Magpies considered making a move for the defender back in January, but ultimately pursued other targets.

Howe reportedly remains a fan of the 24-year-old, however, and is keen on ‘stepping up’ his interest in the player at the end of the season.

Godfrey joined Everton back in 2020 for a fee of around £25 million, although it remains to be seen what the Toffees’ current valuation of the player is.

Toon suffer Rudiger blow

Newcastle look set to miss out on Antonio Rudiger, with the Chelsea defender reportedly close to signing a pre-contract with Serie A side Juventus.

Despite attracting interest from a number of Premier League sides, including the Magpies, Manchester United, and Tottenham, it is understood that the German international is on the verge of agreeing a four-year contract in Turin, as per Gazzetta dello Sport.

Rudiger’s current deal at Stamford Bridge is set to expire this summer, and while speculation regarding his exit has been ongoing for some time, the recent economic sanctions placed on Blues owner Roman Abramovich have only served to increase talk of his departure.

Milenkovic available on the cheap

Newcastle were linked with a barrage of defenders in January, including, at one stage, Fiorentina star Nikola Milenkovic.

The Serbian has proven to be a popular transfer target for English clubs in recent seasons, with the likes of Tottenham and Man United also touted as potential suitors.

And any side looking to secure a deal for the centre-back could bag themselves a bargain in the summer transfer window.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, as per The Sun, his current employers could be forced to sell the player at the end of the season - and his asking price could be as little as £13 million.

Milenkovic’s contract in Italy expires in 2023, and given a choice between losing him for a cut-price fee this year or losing him for nothing 12 months later, it would appear that Fiorentina may opt for the former.