da betsson： Reports this morning indicated that Newcastle are ready to raid Premier League new-boys Burnley for Danny Ings. The Clarets star shone last term as he fired his side to the big time with no less than 26 goals in the Championship. He has since transferred that form to the top tier, but with his contract set to expire at the end of the season, a cut-price January move is an option.
da bwin： Newcastle are pondering a swoop, but with Burnley likely to fight for their man and interest from other sides expected, it may be wise for the Magpies to have some other options on the backburner…
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Jermain Defoe
Despite having been in the MLS for just one season, Defoe is already looking for a speedy English return. The former England man used the switch to Toronto FC to force his way into the Three Lions’ World Cup squad, while the Canadian side – who play in America’s top league – were willing to back him financially as they set about securing a play-off berth. But with both aims having been missed, the relationship may well come to an end.
Alan Pardew could be tempted by Defoe’s proven record in English football, with the 32-year-old having scored goals for Spurs, Portsmouth and West Ham through his career, while the player himself will surely be attracted to a club of the Magpies’ stature at this stage of his career. QPR and Leicester are also interested.
Max Kruse
A £9m target for the Magpies, according to The Mirror, Kruse is an interesting option for the ‘Toon’. The German has flitted in and out of his national side’s set-up of late, with his performances for Borussia Monchengladbach having been mightily impressive over the course of the past few seasons.
At 26, Kruse is very much in his peak now, and Gladbach may look to cash in as they set about funding a move to keep star midfielder Christoph Kramer at the club beyond his loan spell from Bayer Leverkusen. Adept in the box and clever in terms of link up play, and move for less than £10m would represent value for money.
Andy Carroll
An emotional return? Maybe. It looks like Carroll may struggle to stay in the West Ham team now with Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia having impressed so far this season, opening up the door for a move. The Hammers are believed to be open to a deal for a fee in the region of £20m, and if he can be kept fit and happy, the big Geordie could represent value for money in the long-term.
His £35m exit to join Liverpool in 2011 may have annoyed some ‘Toon’ supporters, but a few goals from a local hero could get them back on side quickly.
Seydou Doumbia
While Liverpool and Chelsea are being linked with Doumbia, Newcastle’s name has been in the mix for some time. The CSKA Moscow man’s stock is at an all-time high following his destruction of Manchester City in the Champions League, and the Russians may cash in if they’re unable to tie him town to a new contract – which they are negotiating.
Doumbia could be inspired by the impact Demba Ba has at St James’ Park, with the striker’s electric form having earned him a big move to Chelsea after being rejected by clubs of such stature earlier in his career.
Paul-Georges Ntep
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A little left-field, but Ntep is a player worth keeping an eye on. The Arsenal target earned himself a big move from Auxerre to Rennes earlier this year, and has already notched an impressive 10 goals in 24 Ligue 1 outings for his new side.
Although he’s only been at his current club since the start of the year, interest in his signature is already high, and it’s expected that the financial lure of the Premier League could tempt both player and club into a deal either in January or at the end of the season.