Newcastle United boss Rafael Benitez has already tried to sign Everton’s James McCarthy once.
Benitez is yet to commit his future to Newcastle, but if he does sign a new contract then McCarthy will reportedly be one of the players that he goes after.
The midfielder has been a long term target of Benitez’s, but Newcastle have not been able to agree a deal to date.
However, with McCarthy not featuring at all for Everton last term – partly down to his injury problems – Marco Silva’s side may be more willing to sell this summer.
In 2017, Newcastle were said to be willing to pay £20 million for McCarthy (Daily Mail) – but Everton wanted to keep hold of him on that occasion.
The Republic of Ireland international should be a much cheaper target now, which could make him appealing to Newcastle.
However, if Benitez is to sign McCarthy he will need to be given the freedom over transfers that he wants, as the Everton man is 28 and beyond the age of player that Mike Ashley usually sanctions deals for.
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