Transfer notebook: Newcastle's next target, Bale warned over Premier League move

Pope, 30, is now high on the Magpies' list of summer targets, with Burnley willing to sell the England international for £10million.

Manager Eddie Howe has tasked new director of football Dan Ashworth with finding him competition for Toon number one Martin Dubravka.

talkSPORT understands Ashworth held talks with Bazunu's representatives but could not guarantee the Republic of Ireland international the number one jersey he has been offered at Southampton.

Furthermore Newcastle, who as revealed in last week's notebook are also tracking Swiss international Yann Sommer, were reluctant to pay Man City's £15m asking price for the 20-year-old.

Saints ready to raid Man City again

Southampton hope their reputation for being a talent factory will see more rising Premier League stars follow Gavin Bazunu to St Mary's this summer.

Saints have impressed the league's elite with the way they nurtured teenage defender Tino Livramento after signing the England Under-21 international from Chelsea.

During complex negotiations Bazunu was promised regular first-team football and a pathway to one day join a top European side, with City themselves insisting on a hefty buy-back option.

Under new owners Sport Republic, Saints are planning a massive overhaul of their squad this summer, with the focus on recruiting young up-and-coming players.

Bazunu's City teammates Liam Delap, James McAtee and Cole Palmer are all on the south coast side's wish list.

Premier League transfer could be hard for Gareth Bale

Gareth Bale's World Cup ambitions are threatening to block a return to the Premier League.

Bale is a free agent after leaving Real Madrid following a nine-year stint at the Bernabeu.

The 32-year-old five-time Champions League winner has openly admitted the main aim when he chooses his next club will be keeping fit for Qatar 2022.

One Premier League executive told talkSPORT this could prove a barrier for his potential suitors.

Bale's hometown club Cardiff are the only club known to have a definite interest in signing the ex-Tottenham superstar.

Defender crisis to continue for Vincent Kompany

Burnley new manager Vincent Kompany faces a fight to keep key defender Nathan Collins.

After losing Ben Mee and James Tarkowski, Kompany wants to build his back-line around Collins, who scored a wonder-goal for the Republic of Ireland against Ukraine on Tuesday.

The centre-back's impressive displays last season mean the former Stoke star has no shortage of offers to return to the top-flight.

talkSPORT understands Leeds, Aston Villa and Wolves are all monitoring the 21-year-old.

Hear more from Alex Crook, alongside Darren Bent and Darren Ambrose, on The Bootroom this Sunday from 6pm and read his Transfer Notebook every Thursday on talkSPORT.com