Newcastle United transfer rumours: Gallagher move ‘nailed on’ as Sporting name Ugarte asking price

A round-up of the latest Newcastle United transfer rumors on Friday 10th February.

Sporting demand Magpies pay the asking price for Manuel Ugarte

According to Fichajes, Newcastle United will have to pay the full €60m release clause if they want to sign Sporting midfielder Manuel Ugarte. The Uruguay international has been linked with a move to St James’ Park in the summer as the Magpies have few options in midfield.

Jonjo Shelvey’s departure to Nottingham Forest in January has left Eddie Howe’s sidelight on numbers at the heart of midfield. The Toon are understood to be keen to add a defensive midfielder to their squad, with Ugarte ranked among the top performers across Europe.

The midfielder, just 21, has made 68 appearances for Sporting CP in all competitions, scoring once and providing two assists. Sporting hope to tie the midfielder to a new deal that would see the release clause rise to over €80m.

Conor Gallagher’s move to Newcastle ‘pinned down’

Newcastle United are determined to sign Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher, according to former Hibernia striker Tam McManus. The Magpies are reportedly pursuing the midfielder ahead of a potential move in the summer after a loan move reportedly fell through in January.

“I really like him, he was great at Crystal Palace,” McManus told Football Insider. “We haven’t really seen much of that magic since he came back to Chelsea but he hasn’t really had the chance in a squad that has had 900 midfielders.

“That’s really my point. He won’t want to stay past the summer because I don’t think he’ll get any playing time in the second half of the season.

“Maybe I’m wrong, but anyway, Chelsea will come out big again in the summer and probably sign a few more midfielders. I don’t think there is a place for Gallagher at Chelsea that he could be forced to leave.