The winger has long been linked with a move to St James’ Park.
Ryad Boudebouz is not Newcastle United’s first choice January target, The Chronicle reports, with a number of midfielders ahead of him on the shopping list.
The Algerian winger has been in exceptional form for Montpellier this season, scoring and starring as the mid-table outfit swept aside champions PSG 3-0 earlier in the season in one of the most shocking results in European football throughout 2016.
And Foot Mercato claims that Newcastle, as well as a number of illustrious clubs across the continent including Tottenham Hotspur, Roma and Sevilla, have taken notice of Boudebouz’s displays in recent months.
The Chronicle adds that Newcastle’s chief scout Graham Carr has long held an interest in the £8 million-rated 26-year-old with links stemming back as far as 2011 when Boudebouz exploded onto the scene by inspiring unassuming Sochaux to Europa League qualification.
However, Benitez’s decision to remain at St James’ Park this summer was hugely influenced by owner Mike Ashley agreeing to give him a much greater degree of control over recruitment than previous Newcastle managers had enjoyed.
This, coupled with the appointment of Paul Barker as European scout, means Carr’s influence has diminished hugely on Tyneside following an array of expensive yet underperforming signings – notably Henri Saivet, Emmanuel Riviere and Florian Thauvin.
Therefore, Boudebouz is well down Newcastle’s pecking order this month, with The Chronicle reporting that Benitez is far more interested in experienced central midfielders Tom Cleverley and Fabian Delph.
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