Mark Douglas says that Steve Bruce would "love" to take Adam Lallana to Newcastle.

What's the story?

The Chronicle journalist was taking part in a Q&A with the north-east outlet, and he was asked whether any deals were lined up for the summer like the Joelinton transfer.

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He mentioned that Bruce has already said they have "two or three" things in place, and then went on to say: "Interestingly, one of the players Bruce would love to bring to United is Adam Lallana, whose contract’s up in the summer. Whether Liverpool persuade him to sign a year extension or not is not clear, but he’s one of those that Bruce would like to provide experience and creativity at Newcastle."

Great signing

Lallana, it seems, is on his way out of Anfield - Liverpool have decided not to take up the option of a one-year contract extension, which means that the 31-year-old will be a free agent in the summer.

The former Southampton man clearly has ability. He has 34 caps for England - including three at a World Cup - whilst he has managed to hold down a place in Jurgen Klopp's squad during the entirety of the 52-year-old's tenure on Merseyside. At his best, this is a player who can hit double figures for goals in a campaign - bearing in mind the Magpies' highest scorer this season is Jonjo Shelvey with five, that could make him a fantastic addition.

Wages, though, could be an issue. Lallana earns £110,000-a-week as per Spotrac right now, which would see him jump £40,000 clear of Newcastle's highest earner, Shelvey. Arsenal, Leicester, Tottenham and West Ham have all been linked with a move for the playmaker recently, and they are all better place to meet that salary - each of those outfits are paying at least one player the same, or more, than what Lallana currently takes home.

There is no doubt that he would be a positive signing, certainly to bring the "experience and creativity" that Bruce wants in the north-east. However, with plenty of competition for his signature, they may end up losing out.

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