The Realistic Rumours: Newcastle's Likely Transfer Pursuits

The Newcastle squad as currently built is still on the verge of being relegated to the Championship and a big problem right now is the defence which has conceded the most goals (19) in the Premier League so far this season.

James Tarkowski is a Premier League proven central defender who, under Sean Dyche, has consistently kept them defensively solid to keep them in the top flight, and this could be the defensive solidarity that Newcastle need to keep them in the league now.

With Tarkowski’s current contract reportedly ending in 2022, Newcastle could go to Burnley in January and get a reduced price on Tarkowski with only a few months left on his contract and this could start a good relationship with current Newcastle captain Jamal Lascelles to keep Newcastle defensively solid.

ICYMI: Read the James Tarkowski transfer odds right here!

Jesse Lingard came back to life in the second half of last season while on loan at West Ham United, scoring nine goals and providing five assists which guided them to the Europa League and allowed him to get back into the Manchester United setup this season.

After reportedly rejecting a new contract in the summer, Lingard could be looking for a big contract as a free agent with the guarantee of game time which isn’t guaranteed at United with the strength of their current forward line.

With Lingard turning 29 in December, this next contract will likely be his last big contract as a professional, meaning if Newcastle can offer a big signing on fee and convince him on being the face of their new project, they could tempt him to either sign there as a free agent or force United to sell in January.

Regardless, at 9/2, it's a deal we expect to go through if Newcastle push for it.

Ismaila Sarr has been heavily linked with moves away ever since Watford’s relegation at the end of the 2019/20 season but a move for the Senegalese has never materialised.

Watford have reportedly put a £40m price tag for Sarr and for a player that has proved a lot in his career and is still only 23, a move to Newcastle to build a partnership with Allan Saint-Maximin could be his next big move.

Sarr has been playing top flight football since the age of 18 in the Ligue 1 for FC Metz and he is vastly experienced at a young age, winning the Watford Player of the Season last campaign in the Championship, scoring 13 goals and providing 10 assists. The forward has once again got everyone talking about a move for him following his four goals in seven games so far this season.

With Watford willing to sell Sarr for a reasonable price, a move for a Premier League proven winger to strengthen the attack for Newcastle in an area where they struggle could be the bolster they need to start their rebuild.

For the last couple of seasons, Anthony Martial has fallen dreadfully out of form and out of favour at United, and has only contributed four goals and six assists in his last 26 Premier League appearances.

A fresh start and a new scenery with a team that revolves around his skill set could be what he needs to bring out his talents which were unlocked as recently as the 2019/20 season where he scored 17 goals and provided seven assists as United's main man in the league.

Martial’s performances have mostly suffered when there has been competition for places, when Zlatlan took his shirt number and position under Mourinho, he struggled to get into the side. Now with Edinson Cavani still at Old Trafford as well as Cristiano Ronaldo, his performances have only got worse.

Similarly to the Lingard situation, if Newcastle ask, they might just get.

While current Newcastle number nine, Callum Wilson, is a very good option in the Premier League and has been great for Newcastle since signing, scoring 15 goals and providing 5 assists in the 30 Premier League games for the Magpies. However, his injury problems could force Newcastle to add another striker.

Wilson has only completed over 30 Premier League games once in the six seasons since getting promoted with Bournemouth, meaning a statement signing for Newcastle could be one of their former players, Ivan Toney.

Toney has gone from strength to strength since leaving Newcastle for Peterborough in 2018, most notably scoring a record-breaking number of goals in the Championship last season (31) while helping Brentford get promoted through the play-offs.

Toney is also after a spot in the England squad, and with Brentford, it's unlikely he'll do so anytime soon. With Newcastle and at his age, the striker may have a chance and if the Magpies bid, as often is the case, the Bees will sell.