Newcastle United transfer round up: Perez snubs Magpies; Snodgrass wants St James’ Park move and Benitez makes worrying admission

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A round-up of Friday’s transfer news involving Newcastle United.

Another striker can soon be crossed off Newcastle United’s wishlist, according to The Mirror.

The tabloid claims Arsenal’s Lucas Perez is closing in on a return to Deportivo La Coruna, having turned down a move to St James’ Park.

Lucas Perez of Arsenal

Depor are said to be taking Perez on loan for the season, and are obligated to buy him for £10 million next summer.

According to The Daily Record, though, another player does want to join Newcastle – albeit the unwanted West Ham winger Robert Snodgrass.

The Scot was linked with a move to St James’ Park ahead of his January switch to the London Stadium, although it is claimed he’s been told he can leave the Hammers already.

Rafa Benitez’s side are said to be pursuing a deal for Chelsea wide man Kenedy, however, and the Brazilian’s arrival would surely decrease their need for Snodgrass.

Widespread reports suggest Newcastle have registered an interest in Sampdoria midfielder Dennis Praet, although they all seem to be citing ‘Il Secolo XIX’ without giving a link – so who knows how true that one is.

Dennis Praet of Sampdoria

The Magpies have previously been linked with a move for the former Anderlecht player, an ex-teammate of Toon pair Aleksandar Mitrovic and Chencel Mbemba.

According to manager Rafa Benitez, however, Newcastle won’t be signing anyone until they have offloaded first.

The Spaniard is quoted as telling Sky Sports (15:39): “Obviously we have a lot of players we have to move out if we want to move [players] in. It depends on how many we can move in one direction.

“We have to wait and see if this work behind the scenes is good. If we can move players out it will be easier to bring players in. My focus now is to win on Sunday, to get three points and little by little to see where we are.”

And despite previous speculation, Jack Colback will not be leaving Tyneside for Aston Villa, at least according to Villans boss Steve Bruce.

Jack Colback of Newcastle

Asked about rumours of a reunion with his former Sunderland player, Bruce told The Birmingham Mail: “I don’t know what they came from either (he had earlier denied any interest in Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere).

“I worked with Jack as a boy. There’s no truth in that either.”