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Report: Newcastle now want £362,000-a-week man with 260 Premier League appearances

Photo by VCG/VCG via Getty Images
Photo by VCG/VCG via Getty Images
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SHIJIAZHUANG, CHINA - JULY 11: Marouane Fellaini of Shandong Luneng Taishan reacts during a friendly match between Shijiazhuang Yongchang and Shandong Luneng Taishan on July 11, 2020 in Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province of China. (Photo by VCG/VCG via Getty Images)
Photo by VCG/VCG via Getty Images

According to La Dernière Heure, Newcastle are interested in bringing Marouane Fellaini back to the Premier League.

What’s the story?

Well, this would be quite the move from Newcastle.

La Dernière Heure believe the Magpies view Fellaini as the ideal signing, with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF) and Amanda Staveley looking to rebuild Newcastle.

Now aged 34, the former Everton and Manchester United maestro is playing in the Chinese Super League with Shandong Luneng Taishan.

If Eddie Howe is to bring the 87-cap Belgium international back to the Premier League, Newcastle may have to obliterate their wage structure.

Currently, Fellaini earns £362,000-a-week in China, which dwarfs Newcastle’s highest salary of £100,000-a-week, earned by Kieran Trippier.

La Dernière Heure believe Galatasaray and Besiktas are also interested.

Newcastle should avoid Marouane Fellaini

JOHOR BAHRU, MALAYSIA - APRIL 24: Marouane Fellaini of Shangdong Luneng looks on during the AFC Champions League Group E match between Johor Darul Ta'zim and Shandong Luneng at Larkin Stadium on April 24, 2019 in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. (Photo by Allsport Co./Getty Images)
Photo by Allsport Co./Getty Images

In our view, Newcastle should avoid a move for Fellaini.

Admittedly, he wouldn’t need much time to settle in English football, as he is well versed in how things work on these shores.

Across spells at Everton and Manchester United, Fellaini made 260 Premier League appearances, scoring 37 goals and providing 16 assists.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 02:  Marouane Fellaini of Everton celebrates his goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Everton and Reading at Goodison Park on March 2, 2013 in Liverpool, England.  (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images

However, Newcastle must look to sign younger, hungrier options – thanks to PIF, they have the money to do so.

Even if Newcastle survive this season, Howe would then be lumbered with a high-earning 34-year-old with few years remaining in his career.

It might’ve been worth doing if Fellaini was a free agent, but seeing as he’s a key player for Shandong Luneng Taishan, Newcastle should walk away.