Newcastle United latest news: Aston Villa are planning on strengthening their squad ahead of a league and cup double-header against Newcastle United.

Aston Villa are reportedly interested in signing AC Milan midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek before the end of the January transfer window.

The former Chelsea man has been a regular at the San Siro this season, but has emerged as a potential option for the Villans amid a slew of injuries affecting Unai Emery’s midfield options. Loftus-Cheek has often been linked with a return to England since leaving Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2023.

During his time in Italy, the 30-year-old has made just-shy of 100 appearances, featuring in all but two Milan matches this season. Loftus-Cheek has been used as an attacking midfielder, a second striker and as an orthodox central midfielder by Max Allegri this season.

Reports from Corriere Dello Sport suggest that Milan have placed a £13.1m valuation on Loftus-Cheek. The former Crystal Palace loanee has less than 18-months left on his contract with AC Milan.

Aston Villa injury news v Newcastle United

Interest from Villa Park in Loftus-Cheek comes after a couple of major injury blows to Emery’s midfield. John McGinn was substituted at the weekend after suffering a knee injury and is regarded as a major doubt to feature in their crunch clash with Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Sunday.

Neither Amadou Onana or Ross Barkley, meanwhile, featured against the Toffees on Sunday and whilst both players are closing in on a return to action, they remain doubtful to feature on Tyneside.

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Boubacar Kamara also remains sidelined and, according to reports in the Athletic, could miss the remainder of the season with a knee injury. Villa were previously hopeful that Kamara’s injury would only keep him out of action for a few weeks, however, according to reports, there is ‘growing expectation’ that the midfielder could be out for much longer than that initial timeframe.

“Kamara is out, his knee,” Emery said previously about the 26-year-old. “We are checking him, and he’s visiting some doctors.

“We are going to know about him in a few days, but of course not available and maybe for a long time. Hopefully not too long of a time, but we are checking him.”

Kamara’s injury, coupled with their current issues elsewhere, could force Villa into the transfer market to source a replacement. The Villans have already seen Donyell Malen leave the club this month and are reportedly interested in a deal to sign Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and Besiktas striker Tammy Abraham - whilst Leon Bailey has been linked with a move away from the club after being recalled from his loan move to Roma.

Villa were very active in last year’s winter window, with those additions almost helping them secure Champions League qualification. Newcastle United, though, pipped them to fifth spot on the final day of the Premier League season and whilst they will enter Sunday’s clash sat five places and ten points behind Emery’s side, they know that a win could be crucial when May comes around and their 38 Premier League matches have been played.

Less than three weeks following Sunday’s meeting, Newcastle United and Aston Villa will again lock horns in the FA Cup Fourth Round.

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