Long-term Newcastle target has said goodbye to club and fans on social media as move looms

As the clock runs down on July Newcastle United look set to make it an entire month without a first-team addition this summer.

After a flurry of transfer business as the club scrambled to avoid a points deduction on PSR Deadline Day on 31st June, Newcastle have only added a couple of youngsters to the ranks in July.

The Magpies need a centre-back, a right-winger and a third striker to stand any real chance of competing at the top end of the Premier League in the coming season, although we have a genuine fear that we'll only get two or those three positions filled.

Newcastle are reportedly working on a centre-back in Malick Thiaw, but depending on who you believe that's either not happening or he's practically already signed.

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A long-term target who plays on the wing is now available

There's little movement on the striker front and we aren't confident that will change, and as for a winger, we have no idea what's happening there.

There's a different player linked every day and today has seen the return of a name from the past as France international Adrien Rabiot has said his goodbyes to Juventus and is set to become a free agent.

Newcastle were heavily linked with Rabiot last summer before the 29-year-old signed another contract with Juventus, but this time it looks as if he's set to leave the Turin club putting Newcastle, Aston Villa and Manchester United on alert according to The Shields Gazette.

Adrien Rabiot is now a free agent

Taking to Instagram, Rabiot wrote his farewell message to Juventus.

"After 5 seasons at Juventus, 5 years in Turin, I want to say goodbye and thank you. All of you who have been there for me. The club and all its staff. And you fans, always close and very affectionate!"

We highly doubt that Newcastle will throw their hat in the ring this time, however. Paul Mitchell wants to reduce the age of the squad and going for a 29-year-old doesn't seem like a move he would make if there are other options out there.

That will come as a relief to a large section of Newcastle fans who have said since the links first started that they don't believe Rabiot has the right attitude to be a Newcastle player.