Pardew looks to second tier for top talent in January spending spree.
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Newcastle manager Alan Pardew is plotting a sensational triple swoop on the Championship for three of its most highly rated stars as he seeks to strengthen his squad this January, CaughtOffside can reveal.
The Magpies boss hopes to bring in all three of Jordan Rhodes, Will Hughes and Tom Ince to strengthen key areas of his struggling team, in what could total over £30m’s worth of spending when the transfer window re-opens.
Newcastle were quiet in their business in the summer, bringing in just one player on loan as they snapped up Loic Remy from newly-relegated Queens Park Rangers, and have been criticised for failing to improve a team that struggled with relegation last season.
Despite the signing of Remy, Pardew’s side have looked a little short upfront, with Papiss Cisse failing to reproduce the fine form that saw him become an instant hit at St James’ Park when he first joined the club in the 2012 January window, and prolific Blackburn striker Rhodes is seen as the ideal answer to this problem.
The talented 23-year-old has been highly consistent in front of goal in both the Championship and League One over the years, earning himself a reputation as one of the best players currently playing outside of England’s top flight, and has started with a bang this season as well with 8 goals from his first 9 games.
Rhodes is widely expected to make the step up to the Premier League at some point and has been linked with Newcastle before, and it seems likely now that they will make him a top target this season.
Derby youngster Will Hughes is another outstanding prospect, looking like one of England’s best young players at the moment with his silky displays for the Rams. Compared with Barcelona duo Xavi and Andres Iniesta, the 18-year-old playmaker looks set for stardom and is also attracting strong interest from Liverpool, who may compete with the Magpies for the £15m-rated talent.
Hughes could be a direct replacement for Yohan Cabaye, who may still be on the move this January after attracting interest from the likes of Arsenal and PSG over the summer, and his £20m sale would certainly help fund the club’s business in the upcoming transfer window.
Finally, Newcastle will also step up their interest in Blackpool winger Tom Ince, another fine up-and-coming English talent currently impressing in the second tier. The 21-year-old started his career at Liverpool before being allowed to leave, and has since impressed immensely for the Seasiders and attracted interest from several Premier League sides.
Newcastle looked keen on signing him in the summer, though a move never materialised, and they will be even more desperate to sign him now as Hatem Ben Arfa’s future at the club continues to look uncertain.
Although these players are as of yet unproven at the top level, Newcastle fans will be pleased to see their club working hard to recruiting the best talent, if not always the biggest names.