Rio Ferdinand believes that Newcastle United should be aiming to sign the likes of Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling, Manchester United’s Jesse Lingard and West Ham’s Declan Rice with their newfound wealth.

The BT Sport pundit says that while these three players could still be unrealistic signings for the Magpies, it doesn’t hurt to ask:

“I’d be going to try and make like a mad couple of signings, like huge, that I think would be gettable. 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. It’s unrealistic until you ask the question. I’d be going out there to get answers from these types of players and then you work your way down your list.”

Sterling’s future is very much up in the air. The 26-year-old has less than two years remaining on his contract at the Etihad Stadium and is reportedly unhappy at his lack of game time. Barcelona and Arsenal have been tipped as potential destinations for the England international.

Rice is thought to be on City’s radar, in addition to United and Chelsea, and it is believed that West Ham would be holding out for around £100m. If Newcastle spent that much money on the midfielder, it would certainly be a statement of intent.

At this stage, though, it is not believed that the Magpies’ new owners have even drawn up their transfer plans so Ferdinand’s comments are rather speculative.