Newcastle United’s status as a Champions League club means they are now are best-placed to win a hotly contested Premier League race for a highly decorated player.
Howe ready for "electric" Liverpool clash
The Magpies’ first home league of the season promises to be a cracker on Monday evening, with champions Liverpool making the trip to St James’ Park.
Relations between the two clubs aren’t exactly strong at the moment, given the Alexander Isak saga, and there is every chance that this is a ferocious game that could boil over at times.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe is certainly looking forward to the match, saying in his pre-match press conference that he expects St James’ to be “electric” on Monday.
“The first home game is always going to be electric. Under the lights, evening games are always really special for us. I have no doubt this will be a really passionate display from the home support. We need to use that – but not be reckless with it. We’ve got to concentrate and deliver our game plan, but using the energy from the crowd will be vital for us.”
Once the dust settles after the Liverpool game, attention will return to transfer business for Newcastle, both in terms of keeping Isak and bringing in new signings, and a fresh update has now dropped regarding a potential addition.
Newcastle winning race for Premier League defender
According to a new report from Caught Offside, Newcastle are in the best position to sign £35m-rated Manchester City defender Nathan Ake this summer. They are “better placed to match the ambitions” of the Dutchman than fellow suitors Everton and West Ham, because they “can offer continental competition this season and the promise of a prominent role in their squad”.
Last week, it was reported that the Magpies were looking to hijack the Toffees’ move for Ake, and they now appear to be in pole position to win the race, should he follow the likes of Jack Grealish and leave the Eithad in search of more regular playing time.
Ake ticks so many boxes for Newcastle at a time when defensive reinforcements are needed, possessing experience, a winning mentality and versatility.
The 30-year-old can flourish as both a centre-back and a left-back, and Pep Guardiola has spoken glowingly about his defender in the past.
“He has been fundamental. I learned this season when you play against (Bukayo) Saka, Vinicius (Jnr), (Gabriel) Martinelli, (Mohamed) Salah or (Sadio) Mane in the past, you need a proper defender to win duels one v one. Or, in the Champions League, at that level, they need one action to beat you and Nathan gave us that boost that I didn’t have in the past.”
In truth, there aren’t many negatives to Newcastle signing Ake, with the Netherlands international having the potential to enjoy a Kieran Trippier-like impact, coming in during the autumn of his career but offering a huge amount on and off the pitch.