Newcastle United are looking to recruit at least seven players this summer - with Manchester City defender Micah Richards expected to be Steve McClaren's first signing as Magpies boss. The 26-year-old spent the season on loan at Serie A club Fiorentina and he will a free agent this summer once his contract expires with Man City on July 1st. Although primarily a right-back, Richards can also operate at centre-back and it is that versatility that has attracted both Newcastle and Liverpool to the 5ft 11in defenders availability on a free transfer - with the Magpies looking to have won the race, according to The Daily Star. Meanwhile, The Independent claims McClaren will be allowed to reshape the Newcastle squad once he is named as Alan Pardew's permanent successor this week, and he will look to recruit at least seven players. Forwards and defenders will be top of McClaren's priority list, and it is hoped that his previous relationship with the Magpies' chief scout Graham Carr could help recruitment. Capped 13 times by England and on five occasions by Great Britain, Richards has fallen out of favour with Three Lions boss Roy Hodgson due to his lack of first-team football. The defender has played just 19 times for Man City over the last three seasons - but he has made 245 appearances for the club in all, as well as a further 19 while on loan at Fiorentina in 2014-15, and he wants to return to the England fold. For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow whatculture.com/NUFC on Twitter and Facebook.
NUFC editor for WhatCulture.com/NUFC. History graduate (University of Edinburgh) and NCTJ-trained journalist. I love sports, hopelessly following Newcastle United and Newcastle Falcons. My pastimes include watching and attending sports matches religiously, reading spy books and sampling ales.
