Embarrassing transfer rumour arrives just in time for January - What a load of nonsense

An odd rumour has emerged this week regarding Newcastle's reported 'interest' in an out-of-favour Manchester City winger.

A new right winger is one of the highest priorities for Eddie Howe in the transfer market, with a goalkeeper and centre-back also believed to be high on the shopping list for PIF heading into 2025.

The latest link, however, would not solve the current problems that Newcastle have, and would perhaps cause even more if he was to sign on Tyneside.

Man City winger linked

Some bizarre claims have emerged this week from Jack Gaughan; The Mail's Northern football reporter covering Manchester City.

In his latest Mail+ piece on potential ins and outs at Man City heading into 2025, he claims that Newcastle United have joined Tottenham in 'monitoring Jack Grealish’s situation' at the Etihad.

It’s a real head-scratcher of a link and one that has seemingly came out of nowhere, but other rumours in the same report will come as no surprise.

Gaughan also mentions that Bruno Guimaraes has been discussed in Pep Guardiola's search for midfield reinforcements and states that Marc Guehi also has admirers at City, but is unlikely to leave Palace in January.

A link that makes no sense

It’s not surprising to hear the underperforming Grealish may be heading out of the exit door at Manchester City in 2025, but it would be a baffling signature for Newcastle to pursue - he isn’t even a right-winger, firstly.

We have Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes on the left hand side of the front three which is headache enough for Howe, with Jacob Murphy’s purple patch on the right-hand side seeing him make that position his own this season.

Grealish is now 29 and would be very expensive in both wages and fee, though worth a lot less than the exorbitant fee that City paid for him. If previous reports are to be believed, he earns in excess of £200,000-per-week at the Etihad.

The combination of those three factors, and the lack of fit within the squad, are the exact opposite of the logical blueprint we've been told Paul Mitchell is trying to follow. This one should be a non-starter.