Newcastle Transfer News: Magpies To Make January Bid For Micah Richards?

by Joseph Dempsey

Daily Mail. Toon boss Alan Pardew is a big admirer of the 25-year-old, who has yet to sign a new deal at the Etihad despite being offered a fresh contract over the summer. The England right-back wants assurances over his place in City manager Manuel Pellegrini's starting XI before putting pen to paper on a proposed four-year deal. Richards has been rotated alongside Pablo Zabaleta on the right by Pellegrini this season, making just two appearances, one of which included the surprise start against Bayern Munich in the Champions League. The defender can also play at centre-back, but City boss Pellegrini has preferred to limit him to his usual role as a fullback. Richards is thought to be happy with competing with Zabaleta for a starting role, and is paid around £65,000-a-week to do so, but Newcastle could offer a significant financial incentive to move to St James' Park. Richards endured a torrid campaign last season, missing most of it through injury, and is desperate for first team football this term as he aims to get himself back in contention for the England side.

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Contributor

Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.