Here is your latest 4am Newcastle United transfer digest.
Magpies 'monitoring' Raphinha
Newcastle United were linked with a move for Raphinha last summer, only for the former Leeds United winger to hold out for a move to Barcelona. However, recent reports indicate the Brazil international could be on the move again after a solitary season with the La Liga leaders.
Barcelona's well-document financial issues have not gone away, and Raphinha is emerging as a potential candidate to be sold in order to help balance the books. According to the Mail Online, Arsenal and Newcastle are 'monitoring' the 26-year-old's situation in case he does become available.
Barcelona were informed last month that the club would have to raise £178 million from the sale of players in order to enter the market this summer. Raphinha has registered nine goals and 10 assists in 42 appearances so far this season.
READ MORE: Newcastle's first summer signing to come from FFP goldmine and 'serious talent' already found
Mahrez claim
Another attacker is said to be a priority for Eddie Howe this summer, but one name which has not been linked is Riyad Mahrez. However, Stan Collymore feels the Manchester City star would be a perfect recruit at St James' Park.
He told Caught Offside: "Riyad Mahrez is a player I think Newcastle should be seriously considering. I know he’s played a fair amount of football this season, probably more than he was expecting, but with Jack Grealish the younger of the two, as well as how much they paid for him, I can’t see him being a player that is moved on, whereas, I think Mahrez could be made surplus to requirements under Pep Guardiola, and should that be the case, Newcastle should go all out for him – I would be stunned if they aren’t already to be fair.”
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