Newcastle United want to sign a new midfielder and have made one a top priority this month amid links to Wolves star Ruben Neves.
That’s according to Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie, who has been speaking to Give Me Sport about Newcastle’s January transfer plans.
There have been repeated links to a number of wingers with Leandro Trossard and Moussa Diaby regularly linked with Newcastle.
Yet it now seems that Newcastle are turning their attention away from a new winger and will instead focus on a new midfielder.
Downie claims that Newcastle’s ‘priority has changed’ because Jonjo Shelvey’s injury setback has heightened the need for a midfield addition.
Downie notes that there are also long-term concerns over Shelvey now and Newcastle are chasing a holding midfielder this month.
“I think the priority has changed in the last few weeks, probably since we last spoke. The priority above all at the moment is to add a central midfielder,” said Downie. “With Jonjo Shelvey coming back, that softened the blow and lessened the need for a central midfielder. But now he’s for another couple of months and there are question marks over his long-term future, his injury record and the fact he’s had two injuries already when he’s not played this season. It will take him a while to get up to speed after having had both injuries. Without a doubt, they need a new holding midfielder in there,” he added.
Ruben Neves one of many midfielders linked with Newcastle United
Newcastle have been linked with a whole host of midfielders of late, so let’s take a look at the players Dan Ashworth and Eddie Howe could target.
Ruben Neves: The Daily Mail report that Newcastle have Neves on their wish list as he enters the final 18 months of his Wolverhampton Wanderers contract. A deal this month seems unlikely though as Wolves look to secure their Premier League status.
Youri Tielemans: The Telegraph suggested in December that Eddie Howe wants Premier League-proven quality and Tielemans was a top target. Now inside the final six months of his contract at Leicester City, Tielemans could be snapped up this month if Newcastle put a strong offer on the table.
Moises Caicedo: That same Telegraph report noted Newcastle also fancy Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Moises Caicedo. The Ecuador star has excelled with Brighton and is also wanted by Chelsea. A January deal will be tricky and would surely set Newcastle back at least £70million.
Scott McTominay: The aforementioned Downie told Give Me Sport last week that Newcastle have made contact to sign Scott McTominay, but Manchester United don’t want to sell. It would surely take a new midfield arrival at Old Trafford for McTominay to be freed up for Newcastle.
Manu Kone: The Daily Mail report that Newcastle have an interest in signing Borussia Monchengladbach star Manu Kone. An all-action midfielder who can break up play and drive forward with real skill, Kone is a top talent who is also wanted by Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain.
Khephren Thuram: That same Mail report suggested that Newcastle fancy another French midfielder in Nice star Khephren Thuram. The son of Liliam Thuram, Khephren is growing into a quality holding midfielder and Newcastle may fancy signing both him and brother Marcus Thuram this month.
Edson Alvarez: Ajax star Alvarez has been on Newcastle’s radar for a while now and TUDN in his native Mexico claimed that a £25million Newcastle bid was rejected over the summer. Tall, strong, powerful and a truly natural midfield anchor man, Alvarez ticks the boxes for the Magpies but he will cost much more than £25million now.
Alan Varela: Boca Juniors talent Varela is the wildcard here. D Sports Radio in Argentina and their reporter Fafi Perez reported a couple of weeks ago that Newcastle had offered £15million to sign Varela, an exciting young defensive midfielder in Argentina. That doesn’t really fit Howe’s demands for a Premier League-proven player, but he’s exciting nonetheless.
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