Newcastle transfer rumours rated as Saudi takeover leaves fans dreaming of stars

Newcastle's fans have been left dreaming of a new star-studded squad following their staggering £305million takeover.

The Magpies have gone from relegation strugglers to richest club in the world overnight, and with silverware and European football now on the radar, a string of new faces are being linked with the club in their quest to reach football's summit.

Last Thursday saw Mike Ashley's 14-year tenure in charge of Newcastle ended as mega-rich Saudi-based owners completed a sensational takeover.

Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) will now own 80 per cent of the club, while PCP Capital Partners CEO Amanda Staveley and the Reuben Brothers will each have a 10 per cent stake.

Newcastle United fans have welcomed new directors Mehrdad Ghodoussi and Amanda Staveley ( Image:

Getty Images)

Following the takeover, Staveley was quick to outline the intentions of the new owners with the ultimate focus turning to major trophies and transforming Newcastle into football's latest powerhouse.

But to compete with the elite in England and within Europe, a squad overhaul will surely have to take place for the side currently occupying 19th place in the Premier League.

With a whole host of names already rumoured to be on Newcastle's stellar shopping list, Mirror FD take a look at who could be walking through the doors of St. James' Park in January.

James Tarkowski

Burnley's Tarkowski has been heavily linked with a January move to Newcastle ( Image:

Alex Dodd - CameraSport via Getty Images)

Although some Newcastle fans will no doubt be demanding immediate success, title-winning teams are not built overnight.

All eyes will be on January's transfer window as the first of Newcastle's new arrivals inevitably arrive, but any initial signings are more likely to be attainable names and not the cream of the crop that many Toon fans will be dreaming of.

One name in particular being heavily linked is that of Burnley centre back Tarkowski.

With the England international embroiled in a contract stand-off and his current deal set to expire at the end of next June, it is highly likely Tarkowski will be moving on, and it seems Newcastle could be the ones to snap him up as they take their first steps towards success.

Jesse Lingard

Lingard hasn't signed a new Manchester United contract ( Image:

Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Who should Newcastle sign in January? Have your say in the comments.

Another player who is yet to agree a new deal is that of Manchester United playmaker Lingard.

Talks over a new deal appear to have stalled and it has been widely reported that the Red Devils could allow Lingard to leave for a cut-price £15million in January as they run the risk of the academy graduate departing for free next summer.

Having fired West Ham into Europe last season with a string of stunning displays, Lingard could well be the man to propel the Magpies up towards the top end of the table.

Our verdict? Realistic and genuinely quite likely.

Aaron Ramsey

Ramsey's Juventus contract expires next June ( Image:

Claudio Benedetto/LiveMedia/REX/Shutterstock)

With Premier League experience and three FA Cup successes to his name, Aaron Ramsey could also be an option as Newcastle look to update and upgrade their current roster.

The ex-Arsenal man has only made three Serie A appearances for Italian club Juventus this term and with his contract due to expire next summer, has been heavily linked with a Premier League return.

The 30-year-old Welshman is another realistic option who would add class and creativity to Newcastle's midfield.

Watch this space. We can certainly see this one happening.

Philippe Coutinho

Coutinho has endured a nightmare spell since joining Barcelona in 2018

Another name with Premier League experience who is currently out-of-favour at a European giant is ex-Liverpool maestro Coutinho.

The Brazilian midfielder has endured a nightmare spell at Barcelona following his staggering £142million Liverpool exit in 2018 and seems continuously lined up with moves away from the club.

Coutinho, who has been linked with the Magpies ever since rumours of a potential takeover surfaced 18 months ago, would be an ambitious target, but his need for regular first team football and the depths of Newcastle's pockets could see Coutinho tempted back to England for a mega Premier League payday.

This one appears to be gathering momentum with each passing day.

Georginio Wijnaldum

A somewhat surprising name being banded around in the same circles as Newcastle is former Magpie Wijnaldum.

The Dutch midfielder only joined French powerhouses Paris Saint-Germain this summer after failing to agree a new deal with Liverpool, but has recently declared he is not entirely happy following limited playing time.

30-year-old Wijnaldum, who earned a move to Anfield following his impressive displays in the black and white of a relegated Newcastle side during his one-year stint at the club, could now make a Toon return.

If he continues to find minutes hard to come by, a reunion with a now ambitious Newcastle doesn't seem totally out of the question.

Raheem Sterling

Sterling has fallen out of favour under Pep Guardiola ( Image:

REUTERS)

It is likely that Newcastle will be sniffing around their 'Big Six' rivals as they look to snap up Premier League fringe players with plenty of pedigree.

One such player who fits this bill is that of Manchester City 's Sterling, who has fallen down the pecking order under Pep Guardiola this season.

With a mere three starts in the Premier League and Champions League this campaign, Sterling may opt to seek pastures new in search of regular first-team football.

The arrival of £100million man Jack Grealish has further hampered Sterling's opportunities and we can see the 26-year-old, who dazzled for England at this summer's Euros, being tempted by a move to Newcastle, the latest financial heavyweights on the scene.

John Stones

Stones hasn't featured for Manchester City this season ( Image:

The FA via Getty Images)

Sterling's England and City teammate Stones is another who fits the profile and could join the Newcastle revolution.

Although his isn't one of the main names linked to the Magpies, this is a transfer that just makes sense.

The England centre back, who netted his country's equaliser against Hungary in Tuesday's 2022 World Cup qualifier, is another who has found himself out-of-favour under Guardiola, not even kicking a ball for City this season.

While the cultured Stones clearly possesses class, he has always struggled to tie down a first team spot at City, but could finally achieve the consistency he craves at the heart of the Newcastle backline if he were to make the move.

Donny van de Beek

Much was expected of van de Beek when the exciting Ajax creator joined Manchester United in September 2020, but the Premier League has yet to see him sparkle.

With league minutes restricted to one meagre five-minute cameo so far this term, frustrations have grown for the Dutchman who has been tipped with a move away by many pundits.

The jury may still be out on whether the 24-year-old midfielder can hack it in the England's top-flight, but a Newcastle move in January may provide him with the opportunities he so desperately desires to prove the doubters wrong.

However, with United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer adamant van de Beek is still part of his plans, this deal looks an unlikely one… for now.

Declan Rice

Rio Ferdinand has urged Newcastle to go for Rice ( Image:

Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

The much sought-after West Ham midfielder, who still has three years left on his current Hammers deal, is continuously linked with a move to a Big Six club.

And according to former Hammer Rio Ferdinand, Rice would certainly be at the top of his shopping list, along with England counterpart Sterling.

"I'd be looking at people like Raheem Sterling. Raheem Sterling's not playing regularly, I'd go ask him the question. I'd go and ask Declan Rice, 'What's going on?'," Ferdinand said on his Vibe with Five show.

Having established himself as a pivotal player in Gareth Southgate's England side, the all-action midfielder would be a serious coup for Newcastle, although we feel this one is somewhat unlikely.

Eden Hazard

Hazard's dream move to Real Madrid has become a nightmare

The former Chelsea playmaker and 2014-15 Premier League PFA Players' Player of the Year has endured a nightmare spell at Real Madrid following a dream move in 2019.

Plagued by injuries and suffering a crisis of confidence, Hazard looks set to move on as Madrid's patience is reportedly running out.

Speculation over a Premier League return to Chelsea has gathered momentum in recent weeks, but perhaps a stint in the black and white of Newcastle could be on the cards.

With money no object for the Magpies' new owners, it certainly isn't a case of whether Newcastle could afford his lofty wages but whether the Belgian himself would make the move. And we can't really see it.

Lionel Messi

( Image:

Getty Images)

It simply wouldn't be right to discuss the newly crowned richest club in the world aiming to build one of the world's best squads without throwing in the name of Lionel Messi.

There's no denying the thought of snapping up the Argentine wizard would have crossed the new owners' minds at some point, but is it even possible in the slightest?

A tearful Messi ended his 21-year association with cash-strapped Barcelona in the summer just gone as he sensationally signed for PSG and we can't see the magician moving on again any time soon.

Possible, yes. Probable, no. Newcastle fans, keep dreaming.

Neymar

If not Messi, how about his PSG teammate Neymar?

The skilful Brazilian departed Barcelona for Paris back in 2017 as he looked to emerge from Messi's shadow and establish himself as the world's best player.