Newcastle United’s reported takeover and the potential appointment of Mauricio Pochettino could mean the club are left with several unwanted players.
There will be plenty on the fringes, those pushed out of the first team by the inevitable high profile signings that will come with the Magpies’ newfound wealth.
And that could open the door for club’s below them in the pecking order. Leeds United don’t yet know which league they will be in next season, but they may be eying some of the players on the periphery at Newcastle.
Matt Ritchie
Ritchie is 30 now and has found his game time limited this season. But he remains a wide player capable of producing moments of brilliance, and his technical proficiency would allow him to fit into Marcelo Bielsa’s side relatively seamlessly.
Whether he is the type of winger Bielsa is looking for may depend on whether Leeds find themselves in the Championship or the Premier League next season.
For Ritchie, a move this summer (or whenever the transfer window reopens) is likely to make sense. He will almost certainly be pushed further out into the periphery, with Newcastle expected to spend big. Ritchie has excelled in his most recent seasons in the Championship, too, scoring 12 goals for the Magpies in 2016-17 and 15 goals for Bournemouth in 2014-15.
And for Leeds - or any other clubs that might be interested - the former Swindon man may be available at a relatively cheap price.
Jonjo Shelvey
He has been a key player under Steve Bruce this season, but the takeover could change everything for Shelvey.
At 28, he is no longer a youngster, nor does he come cheap for Newcastle. Shelvey is the club’s top earner, on a reported £70,000 a week.
Whether Leeds would be willing to fork out the money required to bring Shelvey in is not clear, though he would undoubtedly add real quality to the Whites’ midfield.
A midfielder of his talent, with such an impressive passing range, could take Bielsa’s side to the next level, particularly given the Argentine’s possession-based system.
Dwight Gayle
Gayle is a player caught between the top end of the Championship and the bottom of the Premier League, though he is certainly a capable goal scorer on his day.
He impressed on loan at West Brom last season, scoring 23 goals in the Championship. Back at Newcastle this campaign, though, he has struggled for game time.
Leeds were linked with Gayle in January and might be wise to rekindle their interest in the summer. Again, though, much will depend on which division the Whites are in.
If they are still in the second tier, few strikers are as desirable as Gayle. In the top flight, Leeds might be able to set their sights a little higher.
The 30-year-old is a proven scorer, though, and Leeds have not had a prolific striker this season (Patrick Bamford is the club’s top scorer with 13 league goals).
Isaac Hayden
Another player who might find himself pushed out of contention following the takeover is Hayden, who has proven himself a reliable performer at Newcastle over the last four years.
Pochettino, should he become Newcastle’s manager, may see some potential in the 25-year-old. If not, there will be plenty of suitors.
From a Leeds perspective, Hayden would slot into midfield nicely. He is a relentless runner, a player of real energy and determination.
He is not the most creative midfielder, but his ability to press intelligently and for long periods of time would make him a real asset in Bielsa’s team.
