Newcastle United Transfer Rumors: 10 Potential Summer Signings
Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew has been promised the full £35 million the club received from Andy Carroll's January deadline day move to Liverpool to build on United's respectable 12th place Premier League return.
And as always, United have seen themsevles linked with more then just a hand full of potential summer signings, some more absurd then others.
A few familiar faces have seen themselves linked with a St James return while a number of more realistic targets have also been revealed.
Here, I have compiled my top 10 of potential Newcastle United targets.
Enjoy!
10. Owen Hargreaves
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Fantastic for England at both the 2002 World Cup in Japan/South Korea and 2006 in Germany, the former Bayern Munich midfielder has endured a succession of injuries since his £17 million move to Manchester United.
After 38 appearances in four years, the former England regular was released by United with Sir Alex Ferguson hoping he can rebuild his career elsewhere.
Any club considering offering the midfielder a deal will surely only offer him a pay-as-you-play deal something which may interest the notoriously careful Newcastle owner Mike Ashley.
The recent announcement that Joey Barton will not be signing a new contract has no doubt increased Pardew's desire to bring in a midfielder to the side—a position Pardew was already targetting improving before Barton's announcement.
Plagued by injuries and 30 years old, Hargreaves is far from United's recent signings of young with resale potential but available on a free transfer, could United be tempted? If it is a pay-as-you-play deal.
9. Paul Konchesky
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The general feeling around Liverpool at the minute is that Newcastle left back Jose Enrique is a certain summer signing for the Merserysider's leaving Newcastle United with a big gap in defence.
Specular has suggested that Liverpool's Paul Konchesky could head to St James in any deal negoatied as the Reds look to get rid of the Roy Hodgson flop.
The former Fulham fullback found himself sent to Championship side Nottingham Forrest on loan following Hodgson's sacking this season and will almost certainly leave Anfield this summer.
With Enrique almost certainly leaving St James as well, Konchesky could fill the spot at left back in United's side having already played under Alan Pardew at West Ham United.
Impressive for Fulham, poor for Liverpool, Konchesky will face a tough task if he replaced Enrique in any kind of swap deal.
8. Carlton Cole
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United are in desperate need of reinforcements upfront after the amazing decision to release star striker Shefki Kuqi this week.
Jokes aside, United's survival and impressive Premier League campaign was even more impressive considering the job was done with a Championship attack for the second half of the season.
With United now left with Leon Best, Peter Lovenkrands, Shola Amoebi and Nile Ranger in attack, Pardew must have a centre forward on his transfer wish list.
And following West Ham's relegation Carlton Cole has seen himself linked with a reunion with Alan Pardew.
The striker, whose performances have earned him a spot in the England side in recent years, will hope to get his career back in the right direction on Tyneside and could prove a great replacement for the departed Andy Carroll.
Powerful and creative Cole may not be in the same league as Carroll, but his proven Premier League goalscoring record make him a obvious target for any side looking for a goalscorer next season.
United may face competition for his signing from rival's Sunderland and West Brom and have also been linked with his strike partner Demba Ba.
7. Sebastian Bassong
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Frenchman Sebastian Bassong was one of the few players who impressed during United's relegation from the Premier League two years ago.
A cheap signing from French Club Metz the central defender proved to be solid for United despite their dreadful season.
United fans had high hopes for the no-nonsense defence but Bassong departed United following their relegation to the Championship moving to North London with Tottenham for £8 million.
The move has not worked out as hoped however for United former defender and reports suggest he has grown tired of warming the bench at White Hart Lane.
And following Sol Campbell unsurprising release from St James Park the magpies have been linked with a bid to bring back both Bassong and his teammate Jonathan Woodgate.
Both could do a job on Tyneside if fit. And both in time would earn the respect of the fans back however United may not want to go down the road of bringing back old faces.
6. Stephen Warnock
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Another rumoured target should Jose Enrique depart St James this summer.
Aston Villa's Stephen Warnock has also been linked with a return to former club Liverpool.
A solid Premier League performer Warnock would certainly be a welcome arrival at St James but the price tag may be an issue.
Villa will certainly hold out for the best deal possible for their England-capped fullback who may also hold out for a move to a side playing in Europe this summer.
One thing is for certain. If the Bull does exit United, Warnock will be one of many names who pops up on Alan Pardew's transfer wish list.
However whether owner Mike Ashley will be willing to sanction a move for a 29-year-old fullback remains to be seen.
5. Jay Bothroyd
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Former bad boy Jay Bothroyd has been continuously linked with both Newcastle United and Sunderland this season following his terrific year in the Championship with Cardiff City.
Walking out on the club following their Championship playoff semifinal defeat to Reading, Bothroyd is available on a free transfer leaving him an attractive propostion to a number of Premier League clubs.
His behaviour and attitute certainly appear to have improved from his younger days of petulance which saw his career nose dive to the Italian second division.
The former Arsenal forward even earned himself a place in the England squad earlier this year, and his form showed he has real ability.
Question marks remain whether he can reproduce that form in the Premier League however but could certainly see him switching the Welsh capital for Tyneside this summer.
4. Kevin Gamiero
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Frenchman Keving Gameiro who has been linked with a £12million pound move to St James Park this summer.
Pardew, however, faces a battle to land the forward who has also been linked with Spanish sides Atletico Madrid, Villareal and Sevilla, and the player has admitted he would love to play in La Liga next season.
With United desperatly in need for a new forward to add some much needed flair for their attack the striker is exactly the kind of player the Magpies would be targetting.
It may simply come down to whether Alan Pardew can convince the forward to shun Spain for the greater attraction of St James and Newcastle.
Fans will simply be hoping any arrival will not be like past french signings such as Stephane Guivarc'h and more like Hatem Ben Arfa or David Ginola.
Photo courtesy of goalvideoz.com
3. Gervinho
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Ivory Coast international Gervinho is another reported transfer target for Newcastle United who seem desperate to raid the French League for signings.
The striker is reportedly available for as little as £10 million but has also attracted attention from Premier League rivals Arsenal, Liverpool and Spurs who are all said to be ahead of United for the forward's perferred destination.
The 23-year-old scored 15 goals this season as Lille lifted the French Title for the first time this century and would be a great signing for Alan Pardew.
United fans, however, may not be to disappointed if Gervinho does head to Spurs as it may free up a potential move for either Peter Crouch or teammate Jermaine Defoe who may be heading out of White Hart Lane this summer.
2. Jeremy Menez
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Yet another French target, Menez currently plays for Italian giants AS Roma, however a reported bust up with coach Vincenzo Montella has fuelled specualtion his future lies elswhere.
The forward, who was rumoured to have rejected Manchester United as a teenager, is an ambitous target for the Magpies but is the kind of player United need to push up the Premier League next season.
Like Gervinho, Menez will add real quality and excitement to United's attack, but Alan Pardew again faces compeition from Premier League rivals Liverpool.
It would leave Menez with the choice being automatic selection for United or battling for his place alongside the revilatised Dirk Kuyt, Luise Suarez and Andy Carroll at Anfield next season.
United may turn their attentions to Chelsea's Daniel Sturridge is a move for Menez fails this summer after the striker impressed during his bried spell at Bolton this year.
1. Charles Nzogbia
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There has been a huge debate among United fans whether Charles Nzogbia would be a good move for United following his exit three years ago.
The French winger left United following a number of bust-ups with then manager Joe Kinnear, but it appears the winger has matured during his time at the DW Stadium as he played a key role keeping Wigan in the Premier League.
Alan Pardew has already attempted to resign the winger with a failed deadline day bid in January and United are expected to be one of a number of clubs chasing him again this summer.
Liverpool, Spurs, Aston Villa and Juventus have all also been linked with the flying winger with manager Roberto Martinez claiming the Latics will only sell him to a Champions League side.
Reports last week, however, suggested Nzogbia was keen to make a return to St James but whether his attitute would be welcomed in the current dressing room is a question mark.
Certain to be subject of interest from the Magpies, whether we can lure him back to Tyneside and whether Dave Whelan will sell him to rival Mike Ashley also remains to be seen.
