Newcastle United are adding top quality additions to their ranks on Tyneside this summer. However, the Magpies have already shown they will not be held hostage to huge demands - whether they come from clubs or players themselves.
Jesse Lingard is one name heavily linked with a move to Newcastle in recent months after saying his farewells to Manchester United at the end of last season. The midfielder is undoubtedly a huge talent who would vastly improve Eddie Howe 's attacking options upon arrival.
But the club's interest in Lingard subsided earlier this summer after his eye-watering wage demands became apparent. The free agent is understood to be asking for around £150,000-a-week and a significant sum relating to his signing-on bonus.
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Despite no transfer fee being attached, a deal of that nature would shatter Newcastle's current wage structure; something that Howe isn't keen on doing this summer. Kieran Trippier and Bruno Guimaraes now rank among the highest earners at St. James' Park but don't currently earn anywhere near the demands made by Lingard's camp.
Any players brought to the club in the next two months will likely earn a similar amount to those big-name January additions, hence why Howe has turned his attention towards other attacking options in the summer market. The feeling is that the Toon boss is keen to build slowly but surely and as such does not want a huge salary disparity within his first-team squad heading into the new season.
Speaking earlier this year after a January move failed to materialise, Howe said: "Jesse Lingard is a player I have always admired. And that's probably the best thing to say."
West Ham, the club where he was a success on loan in 2021, now lead the chase for Lingard this summer as David Moyes eyes a reunion with the former England international. Everton are also said to have registered an interest in recent days.
Newcastle have been shrewd when it comes to their transfer business of late and have a number of alternatives lined up if moves for their top targets fail to materialise. Moussa Diaby is a key target, while the likes of Ismaila Sarr and Jack Harrison are two attackers on the club's radar.
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