Gossip: Newcastle prioritise Hazard to avoid the drop

Jason Soutar
Newcastle target Eden Hazard celebrates his goal

Newcastle are in a ‘compromised position’ as they flirt with relegation, so they have made Eden Hazard their ‘main target’ in January…

 

‘COMPROMISED’ TOON NEED A GALACTICO
Newcastle United are the only team in the Premier League without a win this season. Even Norwich City have won a game, which their board did not appreciate, sacking Daniel Farke hours later.

The Magpies’ squad is in dire need of improvement if their new manager (Eddie Howe) is to steer them away from the bottom three. Many names have been linked with a move to St James’ Park, Eden Hazard being one player constantly rumoured to be a target for their new owners. And according to Sport, the Geordies have made the Real Madrid winger their ‘main target’ in January.

He ‘does not fit into Carlo Ancelotti’s plans’ and is below Vinicius Junior in the pecking order in Madrid. The report adds that ‘Newcastle are in a compromised situation and need to strengthen themselves in the winter market’. If they can convince the Chelsea legend to get in amongst a relegation battle, they will likely get their man.

Newcastle target Eden Hazard sat on the bench

 

ONE IN, ONE OUT AT ARSENAL
Arsenal will face competition for Torino striker Andrea Belotti, who is a reported target for West Ham, Tottenham and Inter Milan. However, the Italy international is in a similar situation to Alexandre Lacazette. Both are out of contract at the end of the season…

The ex-Lyon man has had a strange Arsenal career. Signed for around £50m in 2017, he has never fulfilled his transfer fee, but has been quite important under Arsene Wenger, Unai Emery, and now Mikel Arteta. In classic Arsenal fashion, he is in danger of leaving for absolutely nothing after the north Londoners couldn’t get him to sign a new deal. Barcelona appears to be the most likely destination for the Frenchman, with this rumour constantly resurfacing.

Calciomercato say Belotti will not renew his Torino contract, and the Gunners are monitoring the situation. The blow of losing Lacazette for nothing could be softened by the signing of the 27-year-old.

 

KLOPP WANTED CAVANI IN THE SUMMER
Edinson Cavani could have swapped Manchester for Merseyside in the summer, according to El Nacional. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was reportedly keeping tabs on the Uruguay striker’s situation during the entirety of the transfer window, but could not sign him as Man Utd were reluctant to sell to their arch-rivals.

The 34-year-old signed a new one-year deal at Old Trafford in May, three months later, however, he had an unexpected new colleague: Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese’s signing has kind of f**ked things up for Cavani, who can barely get a game under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Had the former PSG striker looked into his crystal ball, or had Ronaldo joined a little earlier, there could have been a bid lodged by Liverpool, who would certainly have a role for someone like Cavani in their high-pressing system.

With Cavani growing restless, a January bid could be a possibility. However, his contract expires soon (which is a theme of today’s gossip). And with the veteran forward being available on a free next year, of course, cash-strapped Barcelona receive a mention in El Nacional’s report.