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Newcastle United transfer news: Toon enter race for Premier League talent, Line up bid for international midfielder

It could end up being a busy weekend for Newcastle United.

Steve Bruce has made it clear that he is looking to reinforce his squad this January, but with the transfer deadline fast approaching, the Magpies are still yet to wrap up any meaningful business.

In part, you would imagine that has something to do with the fact that there is little money to spend on Tyneside this month, and as such, it makes sense that the Toon Army are being linked with a barrage of loan deals.

One position that Bruce seems particularly keen on reinforcing is his midfield, and according to the Telegraph, Newcastle have entered the race to sign Arsenal utility man Ainsley Maitland-Niles on a temporary deal.

The 23-year-old is also a target for West Brom, but the Magpies have received sufficient encouragement to register their interest in a player who can operate in the centre of the park or as a full-back.

Should a move for Maitland-Niles fail to materialise, the Toon Army could turn their attentions to Nathaniel Chalobah, who they are also said to be monitoring.

Hamza Choudhury also remains a target, but his availability may be jeopardised by Leicester City’s ongoing injury issues.

Of the three, Chalobah has registered the most shots, dribbles, key passes, tackles, interceptions, and clearances per game this term, as per Whoscored – although it is worth pointing out that he has played 1,160 more minutes in the league than Maitland-Niles and Choudhury combined.

Failing that, Newcastle could be lining up a move for Genoa midfielder Lukas Lerager.

According to Danish outlet B.T. – not to be confused with BT Sport – the Magpies have told the Serie A outfit that they could look to make an offer for the player in the coming days.

Genoa are happy to consider loan-to-buy offers, with a fee of around £3.5 million attached.

FC Copenhagen and Torino are also keen on the 27-year-old, who has been capped 10 times for Denmark at international level.

Lerager has made 16 appearances in the Italian top flight this term, and has averaged a pass completion rate that is 7.9% better than Chalobah’s.

We’ve gathered the rest of today’s Premier League transfer speculation below: