Transfer Talk: Newcastle turn to Germany stars as Real eye Rudiger

It worked for Liverpool and Chelsea — now Newcastle could become the latest Premier League side to add a German core to their squad. 

January spending plans are intensifying on Tyneside following the club’s Saudi-backed takeover.

And reports today suggest that the Magpies are looking at tried-and-tested models for success.

According to German outlet BILD, new owner Mohammed bin Salman is an admirer of the success achieved by former Bundesliga coaches Jurgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel in England’s top tier. 

Now he is ready to raid that market to appoint the Magpies' next manager and to add some new recruits on the playing front, too.

Among the leading contenders to replace Steve Bruce in the hotseat are ex-Borussia Dortmund coach Lucien Favre as well as the vastly experienced Ralf Rangnick.

Meanwhile, the report also claims that Chelsea forward Timo Werner and Bayern Munich defender Niklas Sule are two Die Mannschaft regulars high on the club’s wish list.

The Bundesliga links do not end there either, with former Bayern loanee Philippe Coutinho also a target — though they would likely face competition from the 29-year-old’s former club Liverpool.

Coutinho looks set to leave the Camp Nou sooner rather than later, with the Brazilian yet to complete 90 minutes for the cash-strapped Catalans this term.

Having departed Anfield for an initial £105million back in 2018, Barca will be keen to recoup some of their outlay but will realistically have to take a large hit if they do opt to cut ties.

Rudiger the Real deal

Real Madrid are ready to take advantage of Antonio Rudiger’s unresolved contract situation at Chelsea, according to Spanish outlet Marca.

The German international, 28, has established himself as a key man at Stamford Bridge in the last 12 months but talks over a new deal have stalled in recent weeks. 

Rudiger wishes to be among the Blues' top earners and his demands are in excess of what the club's hierarchy are willing to offer.

With his deal up at the end of this season, clubs from outside the UK are free to approach him as early as January on a pre-contract and it now appears that Los Blancos will throw their hat in the ring.

LaLiga giants Real, who are also under financial duress, benefitted from a similar situation when picking up former Bayern Munich defender David Alaba on a free transfer this summer. 

However, boss Carlo Ancelotti is short of experienced options to operate alongside the Austrian in his backline at the Bernabeu and would dearly love to have Champions League winner Rudiger added to his ranks.

In other news

ESPN report that Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard is on the radar of both Barcelona and AC Milan as his Old Trafford deal enters its final months.

Like Rudiger, 28-year-old Lingard is free to talk to foreign sides from January 1 and has yet to receive any further reassurances over his playing time at his current club, making a move increasingly likely.

Arsenal are preparing a January move for Club Brugge winger Noa Lang, say reports in the Belgian press.

Voetbal24 believe that Brugge are resigned to losing the 22-year-old in the summer but may hold out for closer to £34m rather than the £25m that the Gunners intend to pay.

The battle for Monaco star Aurelien Tchouameni is set to be hard-fought with Marca suggesting that Real have identified him as a top target.

Tchouameni, 21, starred in France’s midfield in the 2-1 Nations League final win on Sunday and United are confident of landing him next summer — though Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool are also said to be in the race.