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Newcastle United will no doubt be one of the most active Premier League clubs in the upcoming transfer window, with the Magpies looking set to splash their newfound cash.
A Saudi Arabia backed consortium completed a £300 million takeover of the club two weeks back, ending 14-years of disappointment under Mike Ashley's ownership.
Newcastle United have long been touted as a sleeping football giant and now have the funds to compete with Europe's elite and return to their glory days.
Newcastle United should look to target fringe players at top Premier League clubs
While Newcastle United are more than capable of signing superstar players, the reality is that the club remain in the relegation zone. As such, the owners will likely target players who can help them move up the Premier League table before going for any mega signings. Fringe players from the Premier League's top clubs can certainly be a few that they can target.
Here's a look at five such Premier League outcasts who Newcastle United should look to target in 2022:
#5 Andre Gomes - Everton
Andre Gomes is yet to make any impact under new boss Rafael Benitez and it looks like he has fallen out of favor at Everton.
Signed for around £22 million in 2019, Gomes had a disappointing debut campaign with the midfielder out for the majority of the season due to an ankle injury. As such, he managed to make just 19 Premier League starts throughout the campaign. The Portugal international, though, did make 28 appearances in the league last season under the management of Carlo Ancelotti.
However, Benitez's appointment this season has seen the midfielder get limited playing time. He is yet to make a Premier League start this season and has been restricted to just three substitute appearances.
Gomes could be a player Newcastle United might look to target, given his quality and experience in the middle of the park. Despite his decline in recent years, Gomes could do well with a move to a new club and Newcastle United could be the breath of fresh air he needs to revive his career.
#4 Takumi Minamino - Liverpool
Having already had a spell away from Liverpool on loan at Southampton last season, Takumi Minamino might look to depart Anfield permanently after failing to make any impact.
Minamino arrived with a big reputation at Liverpool, having impressed everyone during RB Salzburg's incredible Champions League group stage campaign in 2019. However, with the likes of Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah ahead of him in the pecking order, Minamino failed to get enough chances at Liverpool.
As such, after just 19 Premier League appearances, Minamino was sent on loan to Southampton in January 2021.
Minamino failed to impress with the Saints as well and returned to Anfield in the summer. He is yet to play a single minute in the Premier League this season and it looks like his future might lie away from Merseyside.
Minamino can certainly prove to be a useful addition to Newcastle United's frontline. He has a good eye for a pass and undoubtedly possesses a goal threat. Notably, Minamino had more than 10 goal contributions in each of his last five seasons in Austria.
With the form Salah and Mane are currently in, it's hard for Minamino to get into the Liverpool team. But the forward could face far less competition for a starting berth at Newcastle United and could prove to be a huge asset for the Toons.
#3 Jesse Lingard - Manchester United
Another Premier League outcast who Newcastle United could target is Manchester United's attacking midfielder Jesse Lingard.
Despite interest from West Ham in the summer, Lingard had to stay at Old Trafford due to the clubs failing to agree any deal. The England international had a fantastic loan spell in east London but the Hammers were unwilling to meet the Red Devil's £30 million asking price for Lingard.
Although he had limited opportunities, Lingard has made a good start to the season, scoring twice in the Premier League against West Ham and Newcastle United.
However, Lingard has played 59 minutes of Premier League football so far and if he continues to be overlooked, it is likely that he will seek greener pastures.
While Newcastle United can easily meet the Red Devils' £30 million asking price, Lingard is likely to be available for less since his contract is set to expire next summer.
As such, Newcastle United could capitalize on the Red Devils' desire to get a fee for the midfielder, who would add quality and experience to the front line.
#2 Donny van de Beek - Manchester United
Donny van de Beek's time at Manchester United has been nothing short of a disaster. It looks like the Dutchman is in desperate need of a transfer to reignite his career.
Van de Beek made just four starts in the Premier League last season, with Ole Gunnar Solksjaer preferring others over the midfielder. The former Ajax man has played just six minutes of Premier League football so far this season. With a torrid run of fixtures coming up for Manchester United, it's highly unlikely that Solksjaer will include the midfielder in the team.
Still only 24 and out of favor at Old Trafford, Van de Beek will probably look to move in January to salvage his career. As such, a move to Newcastle United could be prove ideal.
The midfielder would bring an injection of energy and technical quality to Newcastle United's midfield. He would be an ideal signing to slot into midfield and push the club away from the lower end of the Premier League table.
With Van de Beek having a point to prove, this would be a perfect transfer for both the player and the club. However, the Dutchman is expected to attract interest from other clubs, meaning it wouldn't be easy for Newcastle United to secure his signature.
#1 Ross Barkley - Chelsea
Perhaps the most realistic signing that Newcastle United can pursue as early as January is Chelsea outcast Ross Barkley.
After spending last season out on loan at Aston Villa, Barkley returned to Chelsea this summer and was expected to seal a permanent move away from Stamford Bridge. However, the transfer failed to materialize and as such the Everton academy graduate ended up staying in west London.
The England international has only played 56 minutes of football under Thomas Tuchel, with only 27 of those coming in the Premier League. With the likes of Mateo Kovacic, Jorginho, N'Golo Kante and even Ruben Loftus-Cheek ahead of him in the pecking order, opportunities are looking pretty slim for Barkley at Stamford Bridge.
As such, a move away from the club would be the best option for the former Everton man if he has any aspirations of playing regular Premier League football.
Barkley's versatility in playing across midfield would add some much-needed steel to Newcastle United's midfield. He could provide the necessary spark that has been lacking for the Toons in the middle of the park.
Newcastle United will face competition from the likes of Burnley and Leeds United for Barkley's signature. Though the Tyneside club's financial power could definitely prove to be a much bigger attraction for the midfielder now.
