Pundit names the ‘immense’ £120k-a-week man Newcastle should sign for free this summer

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Newcastle United cult hero Warren Barton believes that the prospective new Magpies owner should target Chelsea’s Willian this summer (talkSPORT2).

The Brazilian has been a great servant to the West London side since 2013, when he joined from Anzhi Makhachkala in a reported £30million move (BBC Sport).

Willian has made upwards of 300 appearances in which he has claimed 59 goals and 59 assists, according to Transfermarkt.

However, his days at Chelsea seem to be numbered after confirming to Fox Sports show Expediente Futbol that contract talks with the Blues have petered out amid reports by the likes of Metro linking him to Arsenal and Tottenham.

“I think it will be very difficult for me to renew because Chelsea offered me two years,” Willian said. “I asked for three and it ended there, we don’t talk anymore, we didn’t negotiate anymore.”

Newcastle, meanwhile, are in the final stages of a takeover bid, with the club now very close to being bought off Mike Ashley, as was initially reported by talkSPORT last Wednesday.

PCP Capital Partners, headed by Amanda Staveley, have brokered the £300million deal which is being backed by the Saudi Arabian royal family’s Public Investment Fund.

Given the fund is said to control assets worth £320bn (Daily Mail), there is plenty of excitement regarding how much money could be at Newcastle’s disposal for strengthening the squad.

“The academy needs looking after and a reboot, and going forward now looking at players like Willian who is up for a free transfer,” Barton told talkSPORT2. “They are the type of players that you need, to bed them in and mix experienced and younger players.”

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Willian’s glittering CV speaks for itself, having racked up 329 appearances for Chelsea, and winning numerous trophies including two Premier League titles and a Copa America.

A fast, technically gifted player with great vision and a powerful shot on him, the £120,000-a-week ace would be an asset for any top side.

After a 4-1 win over Southampton last October in which Willian pulled the strings in midfield, manager Frank Lampard told BBC Sport: “I must say I thought Willian was immense.

“He is an example in what he was doing on and off the ball. He’s a leader – not one that shouts – but in how he performs.”

Chelsea’s loss could well be Newcastle’s gain this summer if everything goes to plan takeover-wise.