Newcastle told to make Aaron Ramsey and Philippe Coutinho first signings after takeover with former Premier League stars backed for lifeline after struggling at Juventus and Barcelona

Former Premier League stars Philippe Coutinho and Aaron Ramsey have been backed as the ideal signings to kick-start Newcastle's new era.

The Magpies' £305million takeover was completed this week and a host of top players and managers have already been linked with the club.

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Chelsea star Antonio Rudiger and Arsenal's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang have been mentioned on talkSPORT as players who could make a switch to St James' Park.

Although, the Toon Army are aiming higher with suggestions they could complete to bring the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland to Tyneside - despite Mbappe appearing less than convinced by the idea.

However, former Aston Villa captain Gabriel Agbonlahor reckons turning to Coutinho and Ramsey could prove smarter, with both players out of favour at Barcelona and Juventus, respectively.

"I'd go and get Ramsey or someone like that," he told talkSPORT.

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"He's still a good player and it isn't working for him at Juventus at the moment.

"I'd target those kind of players where you don't have to pay them silly money.

"I'd take Coutinho, too, because we were talking about the Man City takeover and they had Robinho come in.

"Coutinho's not really playing his football properly at Barcelona, and Barcelona will take anything - they still owe Liverpool for him, don't they?"

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They do. In fact, the in-crisis Catalan giants still owe approximately £97million in transfer fees to several clubs, including £11m to Liverpool for Coutinho, who they signed for an eye-watering £142m back in 2018.

And Agbonlahor suggested how Newcastle could give Barca a hand in finding a home for the unwanted Brazilian.

The former striker said: "Barcelona could say: 'You cancel that Liverpool debt, and you can have him!'"

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