Entering a crucial few months of the summer transfer season, the rumour mill is back in full swing. Two players, Brazilian midfielder Athur Melo and Serbian center-back Strahinja Pavlovic, have been linked to transfers to Tyneside.
Starting with Pavlovic, HITC report that Newcastle are admirers of the 23-year-old and prepared to compete with Aston Villa, Chelsea and Wolves for his signature this summer.
Interestingly, the 6ft 4′ RB Salzburg defender was loaned from Monaco to partner club Cercle Brugge while our new sporting director Paul Mitchell was working for both clubs, with the 42-year-old a strategic advisor for the Belgian side as part of Monaco’s multi-club model.
That said, it feels highly unlikely that we sign another left-sided centre-back this summer, with Pavlovic’s profile similar to Lloyd Kelly; who arrived on a free transfer from Bournemouth last month. Instead, I expect a young, athletic right-sided centre-back to arrive, which explains why we’ve reignited our interest in AC Milan’s Malick Thiaw.
Elsewhere, MARCA report that we have enquired about a potential move for 27-year-old Juventus midfielder Arthur Melo.
The Spanish outlet report that the former Barcelona man has interest from La Liga, but prefers another shot at the Premier League after a disappointing spell at Anfield two years ago.
Arthur is expected to leave Juventus this summer and impressed during a loan spell at Fiorentina last season. I’m slightly dubious about this link, but I wouldn’t rule out the arrival of another midfielder following Elliot Anderson move to Nottingham Forest, doubts around Sean Longstaff’s future and Lewis Miley’s foot injury that will rule him out for the next three months.
