Newcastle transfer news: Ex-Arsenal boss wants Toon player, Big claim on Almiron future

Under-fire manager Steve Bruce is more than likely going to have to turn to the loan market if he is to strengthen his squad before the close of the window, and the inverse of that minimal budget is that the Magpies are seemingly reluctant to let players leave in the coming weeks.

A recent report from The Athletic even suggested that Newcastle would be willing to let Dwight Gayle exit the club on a free transfer instead of accepting a bid for him this month.

With that in mind, El Periódicio Mediterráneo’s report that former Arsenal manager Unai Emery has added Toon full-back Javier Manquillo to his two-man shortlist for a new right-back at Villarreal is unlikely to be met with delight on Tyneside.

The piece suggests that the Spaniard is being watched alongside River Plate’s Gonzalo Montiel as the La Liga outfit look to solve a problem position.

In other circumstances, an exit for Manquillo wouldn’t seem like a hugely surprising prospect.

The 26-year-old has been limited to just six Premier League appearances this term, and when he has played, he hasn’t necessarily shone.

DeAndre Yedlin, who has played the same amount of games in the top flight this term, has managed to complete 25% more of his attempted dribbles than Manquillo, as well as making more passes and more interceptions per 90 minutes, as per Wyscout.

Perhaps a summer move is more likely, but whether or not Steve Bruce will be there to make a decision on his future remains to be seen.

Pressure is mounting on the 60-year-old, and news of his precarious situation has even reached South America.

Speaking to Paraguayan outlet Cronica, journalist Christian Martin has suggested that the Toon boss is much more likely to leave than midfield livewire Miguel Almiron.

He said: “The prognosis is now reserved, I think it’s all aimed at saving Newcastle from relegation.

"Let’s see if Steve survives this. I think Steve is more out than Almiron.”

The player’s agent recently caused a storm by suggesting that he was set to leave Tyneside in the near future.

Here are some of the best of the other Premier League rumours doing the rounds: