Newcastle eye stunning swoop for trio

Newcastle are gearing up ahead of the January transfer window and they have been linked to three players who can bolster their attack.

According to iNews, the Magpies are looking to bring in a couple of signings in the winter window.

Over the summer, the club added to the depth of the squad, with the likes of Lloyd Kelly and Will Osula coming in. But now reporter Mark Douglas has reported that the ambition is to strengthen the starting XI directly.

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His story states that there are three players on Eddie Howe’s radar. “Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo is one of those dream targets, a right winger with serious credentials to improve them. But it feels as if it will be a tough, almost impossible, task to prise him away in January.

“Those inside the club feel those opportunities may present themselves. Rayan Cherki, of cash-strapped Lyon, has been watched by Newcastle, while Lille forward Jonathan David is another whose contract is close to expiring who is appreciated by the Magpies, who haven’t been especially nimble or reactive in the market of late.”

Cherki has been linked with a move away from Lyon, with the French club facing financial issues. Mbeumo is a target of Liverpool, suggests some reports, while David is someone who would make a lot of sense for Newcastle, who are looking for cut-price deals.

Paul Mitchell on Newcastle’s January transfers

After what was seen as a terrible summer window, the pressure is on new sporting director Paul Mitchell. There were reports that he and Howe had a fractious relationship, but the former AS Monaco and Tottenham chief put paid to that idea at a fan event in the city this week, saying that the pair were on “good” terms and any past issues were behind them.

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“I was enjoying Eddie and Paul watch in September. Day one: ‘Have Eddie and Paul spoken to each other?’.

“I thought it was quite good commentary,” he said. “I am not a big social media fan or a media fan in general. But we work closely. It is a natural collaboration; he is the head coach and manager of the club, and I am the sporting director.

Paul Mitchell on his relationship with Eddie Howe.

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“Unfortunately, not as the myth of the media would like, I can’t hold hands with Eddie as much I’d like to. We had the luxury of being at the boxing together which was nice and we had a great time. But I have other responsibilities which are equally as important.”

The 43-year-old also spoke about the upcoming January window, throwing cold water on any suggestions that the club would be spending big money.

“I know no one wants to hear it, but January is always a difficult window so I don’t think we should necessarily go into it expecting any different to any other previous January,” he added.