Newcastle United transfer news: Magpies identify Ademola Lookman alternative as Mike Ashley meets with Steve Bruce on Tyneside

BRAGA, PORTUGAL - NOVEMBER 28: Ricardo Horta of Braga battles for possession with Diogo Jota of Wolverhampton Wanderers during the UEFA Europa League group K match between Sporting Braga and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Estadio Municipal de Braga on November 28, 2019 in Braga, Portugal. (Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images)

Newcastle United have reportedly identified a January transfer alternative to former Everton forward Ademola Lookman.

According to reports from Portugal, Braga winger Ricardo Horta is a player the Magpies could turn to, if RB Leipzig continue to hold firm on England youth international Lookman.

The Bundesliga outfit are looking to recoup the £22million the Toffees just last summer, while United would prefer a loan deal with the option of a fixed fee at the end of the season.

Horta, on the other hand, is said to be available for just £10million this month – and according to Portuguese publication O Jogo, United are willing to pay that for the player.

The 25-year-old scored the winner for Braga against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Europa League earlier this season.

Meanwhile, Steve Bruce has now met with Newcastle owner Mike Ashley, according to the Mirror.

The Magpies chief reportedly sat down with his manager at a Tyneside hotel this morning in what is being billed as a ‘transfer summit’.

Bruce is believed to have asked for “one or two game-changers” in his conversation with the Sports Direct tycoon.

It remains to be seen whether Ashley, who took in his first United game last night following almost a year of absence from St James's Park, will deliver what Bruce is looking for, as the manager eyes a final push in the last four months of the Premier League campaign.

Bruce has sights on signing a striker, an attacking midfielder and a Mo Diame-type for the middle.