Newcastle United are looking to recruit at least seven players this summer with Manchester City defender Micah Richards expected to be Steve McClarens 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. 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.