Newcastle’s proposed takeover is off and their summer transfer activity now looks set to be very different.
It could well be a window of budget arrivals for the Magpies, with the Daily Mail reporting they are in pole position to land Jeff Hendrick on a free from Burnley.
We’ve picked out three more Premier League players whose contract situations make them appealing budget choices for Steve Bruce this summer.
Ryan Fraser
Fraser is a free agent after leaving Bournemouth before the Premier League season had even finished.
Imagine the flying Scotsman on one wing and Alain Saint-Maximin on the other next season; their pace would terrify defenders.
He would be ideal for a counter-attacking approach, and the Shields Gazette report talks are underway.
Fraser would be a fantastic coup on a free transfer.
Michy Batshuayi
Batshuayi has just a year left on his contract at Chelsea, according to Transfermarkt, and the arrival of Timo Werner has surely shunted him closer to the exit door.
Granted, he hasn’t set the Premier League alight at Stamford Bridge.
But seven goals in ten games during a red-hot Bundesliga loan spell at Borussia Dortmund in 2018 (Transfermarkt) and 16 goals in 29 games for Belgium suggest there’s a player in there.
It’s not difficult to see Batshuayi improving with regular gametime and at 26, he could be worth a punt at the right price.
Jan Vertonghen
Some fans might laugh this one off as unrealistic, but hear me out.
According to the Express, Vertonghen wants to stay in the Premier League after his Tottenham contract ran out.
On the subject of wages, Spotrac claim Vertonghen was earning £100,000-a-week at Spurs, and the Star reported in 2019 that Jonjo Shelvey is Newcastle’s top earner on £70,000 every week.
So there’s a discrepancy, but perhaps there would be an understanding on Vertonghen’s part he couldn’t command such a salary at 33.
If there is a deal to be done, Newcastle should try. Gary Cahill was let go by Chelsea but had a massive impact on Crystal Palace’s defence last season with his international experience.
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