1 week Ago By [email protected] (Matty Hewitt)
Newcastle United took a step closer to qualifying for Champions League football next season with a professional 3-0 win over Leicester City on Monday night. The win saw the Magpies move up to fifth in the Premier League standings, just four points behind Nottingham Forest in third with a game in hand over Nuno Espirito Santo's men. Eddie Howe's side have already secured a return to European football next season in the Europa Conference League, but all eyes are on a return to the Champions League and competing with Europe's elite clubs.
If they are able to do so, that could pave the way for a game changing summer transfer window, which has been reflected in the latest Newcastle transfer speculation. Chronicle Live has taken a look at the latest Newcastle news and speculation in the media at the moment, which makes for interesting reading. David Ornstein of the Athletic claims Newcastle are one of five Premier League clubs keen on signing Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen having 'held meetings' with the player's representatives.
In his latest transfer Q&A , Ornstein said: "I now understand that Liverpool are among the clubs with a firm interest in Dean Huijsen. This has been reported elsewhere and is accurate. Chelsea have enquired and Arsenal are in the mix, too.
"At the moment, those are perhaps the three leading contenders, but not the only ones, with Newcastle and Tottenham also keen. I believe they have all held meetings or conversations with Huijsen’s camp in the past week, but I’m not aware of offers being made just yet, so the direction of travel remains unclear. He added: "The £50m ($64.
8m) release clause makes it a clean and potentially quick deal to do, which we’ve seen Liverpool capitalise on in the past." Craig Hope of the Daily Mail has also revealed Matheus Cunha is a top target for the Magpies in the upcoming transfer window, but a move for the Brazilian will depend on whether Newcastle qualify for the Champions League. Cunha, who has excelled in a struggling Wolves side this season, has a reported release clause of £62.
5million this summer and is said to have admirers within the Magpies' coaching set-up. The report claims the Brazilian's versatility is one of the main attractions, with Cunha able to play off the wing, as a No 9 and as a No 8 in Newcastle's three-man midfield. Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton's successes on Tyneside could work in the Toon's favour ahead of any potential transfer talks this summer.
Hope writes: "Multiple sources have confirmed the club’s interest in the Wolves star and he has admirers within the coaching set-up. "Cunha’s versatility is one of the attractions and staff believe he can play as a winger or No 9, or as a No 8 in their three-man midfield. He guarantees goals - he has 15 in all competitions this season - and it is felt he has the personality and skillset to thrive at St James’ Park, though there is a recognition they would need to work on his defensive contribution.
"There is strong competition for Cunha's signature, and a release clause of £62.5million will spark one of this summer’s biggest transfer tussles. "Newcastle would almost certainly need to make the Champions League to be in the running, both from a financial and appeal perspective, but the prospect of working under Eddie Howe and joining fellow Brazilians Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton works in their favour.
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