Newcastle United are reportedly plotting a major raid on Real Madrid, albeit for out-of-favour quartet Marcelo, Isco, Mariano Diaz and Luka Jovic.
According to a report by Catalan outlet El Nacional, Newcastle United are keen on swooping Vinicius Jr. away from Real Madrid. However, the Spanish giants are not ready to do business for the Brazilian prodigy, with the Magpies instead focusing their attention on Marcelo, Isco, Mariano Diaz and Luka Jovic.
Luka Jovic and Mariano Diaz, in particular, have never really got going at Real Madrid, although the latter has still produced some eye-catching displays. However, with Karim Benzema going from strength to strength in recent years, opportunities have come few and far between for the attacking duo.
Marcelo, on the other hand, has endured a sharp decline in performance levels in the last few years, with the consistencies of Ferland Mendy coupled with the emergence of Miguel Gutierrez being detrimental to the veteran Brazilian’s fortunes.
Isco, meanwhile, has never really been able to usurp any of Toni Kroos, Casemiro or Luka Modric from the Real Madrid midfield setup and has hence, been a backup option for the most par. It now looks like each of these out-of-favour players could be given a lifeline soon, with Newcastle United looking to splash their newfound riches on them.
Indeed, the Magpies have been linked with a raft of players since their takeover was confirmed. The new Saudi Arabia-back Public Investment Fund group are credited to be the richest owners in the world and are ready to splash the cash on some big names, including Real Madrid forward Garth Bale, apart from Raheem Sterling and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Now, it looks like Newcastle are firmly focused on some other Real Madrid players, with Marcelo, Isco, Mariano Diaz and Luka Jovic on their radar. The interest in each of the players does make sense, with Mariano likely to be a short-term solution whereas Isco, Mariano and Jovic could offer the best years of their careers to the Magpies.
In fact, Mariano has previously been linked with Newcastle as well, before the takeover was even approved. Now that he is a part of a quartet being targeted by Newcastle, it remains to be seen if any of the four Real Madrid players make their way to St. James’ Park in the coming window.
