Newcastle urged to break the bank for £70m-rated Ivory Coast star

After Newcastle United’s £300 million takeover, Darren Bent has urged the club’s new owners to take out the cheque book again to sign Wilfried Zaha.

Darren Bent reckons Wilfried Zaha would be an ideal first signing for Newcastle United’s new owners in January.

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has purchased an 80% stake in Newcastle from the previous owner Mike Ashley. Amanda Staveley, who helped complete the takeover, has claimed 10% of ownership through her own company, PCP Capital Partners. Billionaire brothers, David and Simon Reuben, have taken the remaining 10% share.

The billionaire owners each have their sights set on signing ‘world-class players’. Reports claim they could supply Newcastle with a transfer budget of around £190 million in January.

If that is the case, Bent thinks the Magpies should turn their attention to Crystal Palace winger Zaha.

“He’d be one I’d definitely try and get,” said the former Tottenham and Aston Villa striker on talkSPORT. “He would be unbelievable – for £60-£70million now.

“I spoke to Wilf before, he loves Crystal Palace. He’s on a lot of money now. It would be a difficult decision [whether to leave].

“He’s a better player now [than when he joined Manchester United]. It might be five years before they [Newcastle] win anything, so he’s in the same position.

“I would go for someone like Zaha. I would leave.”

Zaha has previously made it clear he would like to join a bigger club in the future. Arsenal and Everton had expressed an interest in the former Manchester United man, although nothing ever materialized.