Newcastle could turn their attention to Tottenham’s Dele Alli if they are unable to reach an agreement with Manchester United over a loan deal for Jesse Lingard.
Eddie Howe, who has strengthened his squad by signing Chris Wood and Kieran Trippier, is desperate for further additions as he tries to save his side from relegation. Newcastle want more firepower and have targeted Lingard, who has fallen down the pecking order at Old Trafford.
The 29-year-old forward is likely to leave on a free transfer when his contract expires at the end of the season but it remains to be seen whether he will be allowed to spend the rest of the campaign at Newcastle.
Newcastle, who boosted their survival hopes by beating Leeds last Saturday, have had one loan bid turned down by United and could attempt to make the deal happen by offering a bigger loan fee for the England international. However United are being indecisive about whether to let Lingard go out on loan, keep him or make money by selling him.
Lingard, who has made 14 appearances this season, is not short of suitors. Spurs and West Ham are interested, though United are reluctant to do business with their rivals for fourth place. Lingard had a productive loan at West Ham last season, but it is unlikely that he will return.
The situation is unpredictable, though, and United’s indecision has forced Newcastle to make alternative plans. They are considering a move for Alli, who has fallen out of favour under Antonio Conte at Spurs. The 25-year-old was not even on the bench when Spurs lost to Chelsea on Sunday and has been told that he can leave on loan.
Alli’s career has stalled in the past two years and his days at Spurs look numbered. The forward is not in Conte’s plans but his talent is not in doubt. It is understood that Howe has not made up his mind on him yet.
Newcastle are also trying to sign a central defender. They have been in negotiations with Sevilla over Diego Carlos and also admire Burnley’s James Tarkowski, who is out of contract this summer. However Burnley are determined not to sell.
Sevilla have agreed a deal to take Anthony Martial from United for the rest of the season, paying a loan fee of about €6m (£5m) and covering the forward’s £150,000-a-week salary.
