Paddy Kenny has dropped a big claim involving Newcastle United after some transfer news emerged from Chelsea.
The Lowdown: Chelsea uncertainty
Following the sanctions held against Russian owner Roman Abramovich, The Daily Telegraph have reported that some players at Stamford Bridge are exploring their options over fears of not being paid in the next few months.
It was also reported that several rival clubs are now circling as they look to poach any players who force through an exit from west London.
The Latest: Kenny reacts
Speaking to Football Insider, former Leeds United goalkeeper Kenny has given his reaction to the update, claiming that Newcastle will now look to benefit from their tough situation. He said:
“Newcastle are there, 100%.
“Listen, they have the money to do it. They can offer more money than anyone else.
“There is also the whole project at Newcastle, that looks like the place to be at the moment.
“That’s the place they are shopping now, that top table. I don’t see why Newcastle wouldn’t be in the conversation.
“Obviously, Chelsea have some of the best players in the world. It would be massive for Newcastle to get one of them in.
“Newcastle would take pretty much all of them, I’m sure. We have to see what happens with this.
“It’s still developing and we have no idea what’s going to happen.
“But if players end up leaving Chelsea, Newcastle will be putting calls in, I’m certain of that.”
The Verdict: Why not?
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) consortium have ambitions of challenging at the top of the Premier League with the likes of Chelsea, so why not try and take some of their best players?
The contracts of Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta are all expiring at the end of the season, and even signing one of them would help Newcastle to bolster their backline given the trio’s experience of playing at the highest level.
If little or no money is coming into the club by the time the summer transfer window opens, the Blues may be forced to sell some of their other stars to the highest bidder; and with the riches that Newcastle’s Saudi owners boast, they will no doubt fancy themselves to be at the front of any such queues.
In other news, find out who Keith Downie has been ‘speaking to’ at NUFC and what he has observed
