Revealed! The post-takeover transfer target list presented to Newcastle United scouts

The Gazette has learned Magpies scouts were given a number of distinct lists to work on when returned from furlough – and one of those was a file of 'takeover targets', with the belief the Saudi PIF, PCP Capital Partners and Reuben Brothers deal would be rubber-stamped by the Premier League.

But, as things stand, the deal is dead in the water, with work and analysis on those targets shelved.

It is not known whether these targets were documented by the owners-in-waiting, more likely prospectively eyed by the scouting team in order to cover all bases.

With the Saudi £300 million buyout off the Premier League's table, United are shopping in a very different price category this summer.

The Gazette revealed Luka Jovic and Ryan Fraser are two players who have been targeted, with the Scotland international's progress tracked since the start of 2019.

Jovic is a name added to the list this summer, with scouts tasked with adding goals to a United frontline which scored just SIX Premier League goals, four of which have come from Dwight Gayle.

Fraser however is someone the club has been looking to make a move for since January 2019, offering the player a pre-contract prior to his release by Bournemouth on June 30.

Demarai Gray is another who has been considered this summer as is AS Roma frontman Patrik Schick and former Nice midfielder Arnaud Lusamba, while the likes of Callum Wilson, Joshua King, David Brooks, Jeff Hendrick and others have been mentioned as targets in recent days.

Mauro Icardi is another name whose name was mentioned with Newcastle United – it's clear were he even on the list, the PSG striker would definitely be in the post-takeover pile, along with the likes of Philippe Coutinho and Antoine Griezmann.

Newcastle United have already made one signing this summer having snapped up Mark Gillespie on a free from Motherwell to replace released Rob Elliot.

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