Newcastle United could move for Ross Barkley or Dele Alli if the club fail to land Jesse Lingard on loan.
The Magpies are widely reported to be interested in signing the Manchester United outcast.
Lingard has hardly featured for the Red Devils this season, and is expected to move on before he reaches the end of his contract this season.
90min have reported Newcastle’s new owners are willing to make Lingard the highest-paid player at the club.
But Newcastle will need to work hard to lure him.
Should the club fail to land Lingard in the next couple of weeks, then they could turn to two other English attacking midfield players in Barkley and Dele.
They are out of favour at Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur respectively right now.
Barkley, who cost Chelsea £15 million back in 2018 (BBC Sport), has made just 12 appearances this term for 428 minutes of game time.
Dele has turned out 18 times for a total of 1012 minutes on the pitch.
Newcastle should be prioritising the signing of central defenders at the moment. And it seems like they are with their pursuit of Diego Carlos.
But Newcastle’s midfield also needs improving. A creative player, preferably someone who also carries a goal threat, would be most ideal.
Dele Alli and Ross Barkley could be good additions, but Newcastle must fight for Jesse Lingard after West Ham success
Newcastle have simply got to get a deal done for Lingard.
One could argue that both Barkley and Dele could flourish in new environments.
But of the three players it is Lingard who has proved more recently that has something to offer.
His spell at West Ham last term was a huge success for him. He flourished in David Moyes’ side, and got himself back into the England picture.
Newcastle should be looking at that and fighting to land him.
One gets the feeling there is less risk attached to signing him than Barkley or Dele.
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
