Newcastle United were linked with a move for James McCarthy over the weekend.
TEAMtalk reported that the Magpies are back in for the midfielder, who is surplus to requirements at Crystal Palace.
McCarthy has been at Selhurst Park since the summer of 2019 following a transfer from Everton.
To date he has clocked up 49 appearances for the Eagles, but has featured very little this term, playing in just 14 games.
McCarthy’s contract expires in the summer and it is highly unlikely he will be extending with Palace, meaning the opportunity of a free transfer for someone.
Celtic are in the frame, and Burnley are also keen to hold talks.
Newcastle are said to be ‘looking closely’ at a player they have followed for years.
Indeed, the Daily Mail reported back in 2016 that Newcastle were eyeing a £20 million swoop for the 42-cap Republic of Ireland international.
Quite simply, Newcastle cannot go there.
McCarthy move would show lack of ambition
Just because you maybe can, doesn’t mean you should.
McCarthy being available as a free agent should not paper over the fact that he is just not the player he once was.
McCarthy is now 30, and has struggled to be a regular for Palace during his time at the club.
It has been hard for him to kick on after recovering from the broken leg he suffered in January 2018.
Newcastle need to be looking at players at a higher level, not settling for stars who would have made a proper difference years ago.
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