Newcastle United’s Saudi-led owners are keen for the Magpies to track the Football League for transfer targets and scouted Luton Town versus Fulham, according to Chronicle Live.
Eddie Howe is still outlining his plans for the January sales, as he bids to steer the Toon to safety. But he and the United hierarchy will seek to sign ready-made Premier League stars who can hit the ground running from the moment they arrive at St James’ Park next month.
The Saudi Public Investment Fund also want Newcastle to stay on top of the EFL, as well as abroad, though. They feel the club must stay on top of leagues outside of the English top-flight, and have scouted the Championship.
Newcastle had staff ahead Luton’s meeting with Fulham on Saturday as the Hatters hosted Marco Silva’s promotion-chasing Craven Cottage natives. The match ended 1-1, with Elijah Adebayo scoring the host’s equaliser after Aleksandar Mitrovic had opened the scoring.
Fulham have now drawn their last three games but remain atop the table, two-points clear of Bournemouth. Luton, meanwhile, sit in 12th-place, six-points from the play-off places.
Newcastle had no specific transfer targets in Luton vs Fulham scouting mission
Newcastle did not send their scouts to watch Luton against Fulham with a specific transfer target in mind. Instead, United sought to take note on any standout stars from the game.
Adebayo would have stood out to the Toon staff attending, having struck his 10th goal of the season so far. Mitrovic also moved on to 22 for the term, no Championship player is outscoring the former Magpies forward to date.
Mitrovic and Adebayo are also among the most important players per second-tier side this term. Only Blackburn Rovers’ Ben Brereton boasts a higher goal contribution (46%) in the Championship this season than Mitrovic (43%). As for Adebayo, he ranks fifth (32%).
Mitrovic’s status is all the more impressive as Fulham have the most lethal attack in the second-tier. They have scored 51 goals over 22 games, the next most is the 37 scored by both Bournemouth and Blackburn.
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