Newcastle United Transfer Gossip: 6 Players Linked to the Toon

With not one senior arrival at Newcastle United this summer, all eyes are on manager Alan Pardew and director of football Joe Kinnear to land their first major signing of the window this week.

Magpies fans are growing increasingly frustrated at the lack of transfer activity at St. James’ Park, with 16-year-old French prospect Olivier Kemen the only new face so far. 

With less than five weeks to go until the new Premier League campaign starts, the race is on to add some much-needed reinforcements to a squad that has already lost the likes of Danny Simpson, James Perch and Steve Harper.

Pardew has made no secret of the fact that a new striker is top of his wish list, with Aston Villa front-man Darren Bent and Queens Park Rangers forward Loic Remy consistently linked with moves to Tyneside recently.

While a deal for Bent will be discussed this week, according to John Percy at The Telegraph, and with Sky Sports confirming their interest in France international Remy, the next seven days could prove to be eventful.

But aside from Newcastle’s hunt for fresh goalscoring talent, a host of other names have been linked with the club, and here we take a look at just six players that could end up at United before the end of August.  

6. Cheikhou Kouyate

Not for the first time, Anderlecht defender Cheikhou Kouyate’s name is being linked with Newcastle United, with the Senegalese international reportedly looking to try his luck in the England.

The 23-year-old centre-back was initially rumoured to be on the move last summer according to Metro, but he opted to stay in Belgium amid alleged interest from Arsenal and West Ham as well as the Magpies.

But with a passport issue now close to being resolved, Kouyate has indicated his willingness to move to the Premier League, and once again the North East is being mentioned as a possible destination.

In an interview with La Derniere Heure, via Sky Tyne and Wear, his agent Tedir Bekir said: “I won't give any names, but Cheikhou has contacts with clubs from the middle of the table in England.”

5. Jeroen Zoet

In the wake of Steve Harper’s departure from Newcastle after 20 years at the club, United are on the lookout for reinforcements in the goalkeeping department, and Jeroen Zoet looks like he’s in the frame.

The PSV Eindhoven stopper is a highly-rated Dutch Under-21 international, and would provide ample cover for countryman Tim Krul and second choice Rob Elliot at St. James’ Park.

According to Sky Sports, talks between the two clubs have already taken place after the 22-year-old impressed during a loan spell with RKC Waalwijk last term.

Zoet would become the third Dutchman on the books at Newcastle were he to sign, joining Krul and former Ajax midfielder Vurnon Anita on Tyneside.

4. Alex McCarthy

Another goalkeeper to have caught the eye of Newcastle boss Alan Pardew is Reading’s Alex McCarthy, who is looking to return to the Premier League following relegation with the Royals last season.

The 23-year-old caught the eye last term despite his club’s struggles in the top flight, and much like Jeroen Zoet, he would provide cover for United’s existing stoppers. 

John Cross from Mirror Football suggests that Arsenal are also interested in landing McCarthy, who has been on the books in one form or another at the Madejski Stadium for seven years.

The Guildford-born goalie enjoyed loan spells with the likes of Yeovil Town, Ipswich and Leeds in recent years before cementing his place between the posts for Reading.

3. Rolando

As speculation continues to surround the future of current Newcastle defender Mike Williamson, as reported by Lee Ryder in the Newcastle Evening Chronicle, Portuguese international Rolando has been linked with a summer move to United.

The Porto centre-back is also attracting interest from Everton, and according to Clive Hetherington in the Daily Express, both clubs have been quoted £5 million for the 27-year-old.

Rolando was a January target for Queens Park Rangers, with boss Harry Redknapp a known admirer of the former Belenenses man.

But following their relegation to the Championship at the end of last season, a move to the Premier League would be far more appealing to the Cape Verde-born star.

2. Joleon Lescott

The appointment of a new manager always throws the future of some players into doubt, and that’s certainly been the case at Manchester City, where Joleon Lescott’s fate remains unclear.

Manuel Pellegrini is thought to be keen on keeping the England defender at the Etihad Stadium according to James Dickenson in the Daily Express, but the situation is being monitored by both Newcastle United and Aston Villa.

With a World Cup year approaching, the 30-year-old is keen to play as much first-team football as possible in order to keep his name in the frame for Brazil 2014.

And should Lescott be missing from the team sheet on the opening day of the new Premier League campaign, the former Everton man may well seek a move away from last season’s runners-up.

1. Scott Sinclair

Another Manchester City player whose face may not fit under Manuel Pellegrini is winger Scott Sinclair, who was heavily linked with a move to Newcastle last week.

Opportunities at the Etihad Stadium have been thin on the ground for Sinclair, with the winger making just two starts for City since his switch from Swansea last summer.

Such was the velocity of speculation surrounding a potential move to St. James’ Park, Sky Bet cut his odds to 1/4 to join United after a flurry of wagers were placed.

And as Tim Clement at Sky Sports reported, the Magpies took the place of Everton as hot favourites to become the 24-year-old’s next club.