Newcastle United continue to be linked with a host of big-name players in this uncertain time and those rumours will not go away - particularly if the club's prospective takeover gets the green light.
The bid put together by Amanda Staveley, which has been backed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and the Reuben Brothers, is currently in the hands of the Premier League, who have been conducting their owners' and directors' test.
However, this state of limbo has not prevented a number of experienced players being tipped for a move to St James' Park, including Juventus striker Gonzalo Higauin.
For the first time in a while, Tyneside is being touted as a possible destination for a high earner over the age of 27 and that should not come as a surprise. Indeed, earlier this month, ChronicleLive revealed Edinson Cavani's camp were talking up a link with Newcastle.
At a time when there are few 'live' stories in sport, as leagues try and get up and running, agents, intermediaries and various figures in the football world are attempting to drum up interest in their clients as the usual suitors count the cost of the coronavirus pandemic. Even Ed Woodward, Manchester United's executive vice-chairman, previously warned ‘it many not be business as usual’.
As a result, Newcastle have been suddenly viewed as a plausible destination and a logical link, and it is not just agents who are putting the club's name forward.
A report in Marca previously claimed Gareth Bale was being talked about as a ‘priority’ if Newcastle's takeover went through, but the Real Madrid superstar's bemused camp simply told ChronicleLive they are ‘used to bad journalism’.
While Newcastle's prospective new owners have ideas, they are not believed to have a list of players and managers to immediately target.
The group's backing will certainly open doors for Newcastle if the takeover is completed but, given how the world will know about their wealth, it will also make negotiations that little bit trickier - even if values are likely to drop as a knock-on effect of coronavirus.
