Newcastle United Transfer News and Rumours Tracker: Week of April 28
With less than two weeks to go until the end of the 2013-14 Premier League season, speculation surrounding comings and goings in the next transfer window continues to mount.
At Newcastle United, rumour has it that Alan Pardew and his board are set to change course and abandon the French market that has helped populate their squad over the past few seasons.
According to Steve Brown of the Sunday Sun, the Toon’s hierarchy will look much closer to home when it comes to recruitment this summer and will buy British.
So, as the campaign reaches its conclusion, Bleacher Report takes a look at the latest names to be linked with a move to St. James’ Park and those edging closer to the exit.
Last updated: Friday, May 2 9:30 a.m. GMT.
Robert Snodgrass
In keeping with reports that Newcastle United are set to buy British this summer, one name that has cropped up is that of Norwich City’s Robert Snodgrass.
The 26-year-old was linked with a move back to his home city of Glasgow in January, with Celtic said to be interested in signing the Scotland international.
But according to the Hartlepool Mail, Magpies manager Alan Pardew is said to monitoring the winger, who has just one year left on his Carrow Road contract.
If the Canaries fail to beat the drop this season, a number of their players could be available for knockdown fees, with former Leeds United man Snodgrass leading the exodus.
Dele Alli
One of the names mentioned in Brown's report is Milton Keynes Dons midfielder Dele Alli, who has made almost 30 appearances in League One this term.
The exciting 18-year-old, who has netted seven times for the Dons in all competitions, began his career at the youth level with the Buckinghamshire outfit.
His rise to prominence this season has not gone unnoticed in the Premier League, with both Arsenal and Liverpool linked to the youngster in January, according to Metro's Jamie Sanderson.
Newcastle United, however, were monitoring Alli as early as last October, when The Journal's Mark Douglas touted him as a long-term replacement for Jonas Gutierrez.
Jonjo Shelvey
Fresh from scoring one of the goals of the season against Aston Villa at the weekend, Swansea City midfielder Jonjo Shelvey has been linked with a switch to Newcastle United.
According to Scott Wilson in the Northern Echo, the 22-year-old has been earmarked by Pardew, who handed Shelvey his professional debut during his time at Charlton Athletic.
The former Liverpool man signed for the Swans last summer in a £5 million deal, and with the South Wales outfit set for some squad alterations of their own, the Magpies are confident they can get their man.
Demba Ba
Despite scoring some crucial goals for Chelsea of late, striker Demba Ba could be offered back to Newcastle United this summer, according to the Evening Chronicle’s Lee Ryder.
The Senegalese striker netted the Blues’ first in their vital 2-0 win at Liverpool on Sunday and also bagged the goal that guided Jose Mourinho’s men to the semi-finals of the Champions League.
However, Mourinho has reportedly told Ba he can leave Stamford Bridge, and the former Toon forward could be on his way back to St. James’ Park just 18 months after he left.
Chelsea are looking to recover the £7 million they paid for the 28-year-old, who bagged 29 goals in 51 Premier League starts for the Magpies during his stay.
Hatem Ben Arfa
Frenchman Hatem Ben Arfa looks increasingly likely to leave Newcastle United this summer after being left out of the squad to face Arsenal on Monday.
According to the Sunderland Echo’s Miles Starforth, the player himself has brushed aside his exclusion and described the decision as “not a problem” via his Instagram account.
However, his lawyer, Jean-Jacques Bertrand, has other ideas, suggesting the 27-year-old could exit St. James’ Park over the coming months by buying out his own contract.
In an interview with beIN Sports (via the Evening Chronicle’s Ryder), Bertrand said:
Either he utilises Article 17, which is a FIFA regulation that allows after three years without an alteration to a contract with a club for that contract to be terminated. Hatem can do that this year.
Or he could also sort his situation out with the club. What must not happen is that Hatem is destabilised and is made to look like it is he who is trying to leave the club.