Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand reckons Newcastle must bou an English castle with their new owner’s billions.
A consortium led by businesswoman Amanda Staveley and backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund – worth a whopping £320bn -– took control of Newcastle last week.
And six-time Premier League winner Ferdinand reckons getting the best English talent is the best way to go if the Magpies want to compete at the top of the table.
With Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling looking for assurances from coach Pep Guardiola after starting just twice for the champions this season, Ferdinand says Newcastle should be looking to pounce.
Frustrated Manchester United star Jesse Lingard and coveted West Ham midfielder Declan Rice are also on his hitlist.
On his YouTube show Vibe with Five, Ferdinand says: “I’d be looking at people like Raheem Sterling. Raheem Sterling’s not playing regularly, I’d go ask him the question. I’d go and ask Declan Rice, ‘What’s going on?’
‘Them two would be the first two on my list, and I’d go all out to go and get them.
“And then I’d be trying to get people like Jesse Lingard, who’s in and around the Man United squad.”
While big-name stars like Dortmund goal machine Erling Haaland and PSG ace Kylian Mbappe has also been linked, Ferdinand says English youngsters should be targets instead.
He adds: “Max Aarons, the rightback at Norwich, U21 player. [Crystal Palace’s on-loan Chelsea starlet] Conor Gallagher, straight in there. Get him in there.
“They’re two names, straight away, young kids who I’d say they’re coming into Newcastle. I want young, English talent.”