Newcastle Transfer Round-Up: Every Player Linked From July 27th-August 2nd
4. Ashley Young (Manchester United)
Newcastle United, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur are looking to capitalise on Manchester United's failure to agree a new deal with winger Ashley Young by making a move this summer, according to reports. The Daily Star have made the unlikely claims that the Magpies are one of the sides chasing the 30-year-old England international this summer, although Anfield and White Hart Lane are far more plausible destinations. However, TalkSport have contradicted The Star's report, suggesting Young is actually close to agreeing a new deal to remain at Old Trafford after successfully adjusting to life under Louis van Gaal last season. The fact that The Star claim that Young is on £120,000-a-week wages makes the rumours linking him to the Magpies all the more outrageous, and that's before you even take into account the fact he has already celebrated his 30th birthday. A seasoned England international - he has netted seven times in 30 caps - the 5ft 9in wingers began his career at Watford, scoring 22 goals in 110 appearances between 2003 and 2007. Aston Villa then signed Young in January 2007 and he became one of Martin O'Neill's prized assets, firing 38 goals in 190 games. Such form prompted former Man Utd boss Sir Alex Ferguson to part with upwards of £15 million for the winger in June 2011. Young has scored 13 times in 115 games for the Red Devils since, and has adapted to playing as a wing-back or a winger depending on the formation Van Gaal plays. The links to Newcastle United, however, seem far-fetched to say the least.
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.