Rio Ferdinand has thrown in Raheem Sterling’s name for Newcastle United to consider after their takeover by wealthy owners.
The names of potential transfer targets keep piling on the Newcastle United radar after the club’s take over by the Public Investment Fund. Their newfound wealth has led to the media suggesting plenty of potential targets each day, and Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has thrown in a suggestion in the form of Raheem Sterling.
The Manchester City star has found it difficult to nail down a regular place since the arrival of Jack Grealish, and the media had been quick to link him with a transfer away. The 26-year-old could be available for a transfer in January or the summer, as there are no signs to extend his contract beyond the 2023 expiry.
Barcelona are reportedly one of the interested clubs in the England international, while Arsenal are also seemingly in the race. So far, Manchester City are yet to indicate their willingness to let Sterling leave but could be open to the prospect of a sizeable offer comes in.
In recent days, Newcastle have let their intentions know to the footballing world as they plan to use their newfound wealth in attracting established stars such as Sterling. The Magpies are also interested in a few young stars, such as Wesley Fofana, as the new ownership looks to build a formidable squad for future glory.
However, Rio Ferdinand believes the Magpies should target out-of-favour Sterling to add to their squad and make this their statement signing alongside other English stars. Transfer Market Web has posted some of his recent comments, and the Manchester United legend also suggested Newcastle sign some young English stars such as Declan Rice, Max Aarons and Conor Gallagher.
Ferdinand said, “I’d try to do a couple of crazy, huge recruitments that I think I can go get. I would be interested in people like Raheem Sterling. Raheem Sterling doesn’t play regularly, I would ask him. I would go ask Declan Rice, ‘What’s going on?'”
“These two would be the first two on my list, and I would do anything to get them. And then I would try to get people like Jesse Lingard, who is in and around the Man United squad. It’s unrealistic until you ask the question.”
“And then I would like to find young talents from around the world who could mix and blend into the whole. Do you know who I would get now? I would go crazy for young English talent. The best young English talents.”
“Max Aarons, Norwich right-back, under-21 player. Conor Gallagher, right in there. These are two names that today are young players who could come to Newcastle. Newcastle are an English club; I want a young nucleus of English players.”
It will now be interesting to see who Newcastle United choose to pursue with their riches. It will also be interesting to see if they heed Ferdinand’s advice by trying to swoop Sterling away from Manchester City.
