Newcastle United round-up as Magpies prepare to rival West Ham for Pro League midfielder

The Tyne-Wear derby is creeping ever closer, with Newcastle United preparing to face Sunderland in the Premier League for the first time since March 2016.

Just three places and one point separate the two sides, with the Magpies able to leapfrog their arch-rivals with a victory at the Stadium of Light. Within the squad, all the focus will be on putting the Black Cats in their place following their strong start to life back in the top flight.

However, despite all the noise around this momentous fixture, there are still plenty of other transfer rumours and other narratives at play:

Newcastle preparing to rival West Ham for Pro League midfielder

The January transfer window is fast-approaching and Howe will absolutely be looking to strengthen his squad as he continues to manage league, European and domestic cup commitments. A new name to be linked with St. James’ Park is Tochukwu Nnadi. The Nigerian midfielder played a key role in Zulte Waregem’s promotion back into the Belgian Pro League last season and has been vital to their solid start, where they sit ninth after 17 games with 22 points on the board.

Nnadi has been a defensive powerhouse, sitting first among his teammates this season for interceptions (16), and second for tackles (31) and recoveries (81) in league play. The 22-year-old has also been influential with possession, logging the second-most passes into the final third (60) at the club and the third-most short (192), medium (265) and long passes (71), while registering one assist from five chances created.

West Ham United have been heavily linked with Nnadi - who is under contract until the summer of 2028 - and are thought to be preparing a £3.5million bid. But according to TeamTalk, Newcastle United and Brighton are ready to rival the Hammers for a player who scouts describe as ‘explosive’ and ‘Premier League-ready’.

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Man City preparing to return for new Tino Livramento push

One of the biggest sources of anxiety for Newcastle fans earlier in the summer window was regarding the future of Tino Livramento, who attracted serious attention from Manchester City.

Livramento remained at St. James’ Park and has continued to put in stellar performances when fit, but now, it seems like Newcastle fans must once again cast nervous glances toward the blue half of Manchester. Once again according to TeamTalk (via City Xtra), Livramento is still appearing as the ‘standout option’ on Man City’s shortlist of potential new right-backs as they seek to address the position again in January.

Crystal Palace’s Daniel Munoz and Givairo Read of Feyenoord are also on that shortlist, but with Pep Guardiola seeking a long-term option in that position, Livramento is the most attractive prospect. In the end, City didn’t address that position in the summer, with Matheus Nunes the most-used deputy there, ahead of natural right-back Rico Lewis - who has played just 181 minutes of Premier League football this season.

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Alan Shearer gives Yoane Wissa AFCON decision verdict

It’s been a productive week for Yoane Wissa, who has finally played his first two games in a Newcastle United shirt following his summer move from Brentford. The DR Congo international managed 16 minutes in the 2-1 win over Burnley at the weekend, looking sharp and tidy in possession, though failing to worry the Clarets backline. Wissa then came on right at the end of the 2-2 draw away at Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League, but only had time to touch the ball once.

Nevertheless, Newcastle fans will be buzzing seeing their star striker out on the pitch, especially with the Tyne-Wear derby next up. Magpies legend Alan Shearer is looking forward to seeing Wissa in the starting XI soon, and is glad to see the 29-year-old won’t be joining DR Congo at the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations.

“He came on at the weekend obviously, then came on again against Bayer Leverkusen,” Shearer said on The Rest is Football. “Only for the last four or five minutes to see the game out.

“Hopefully, it’s not too far away from him starting a game. If he can get half an hour or an hour in sometime in the next week or two then I don’t think he’ll be too far away from starting which has to be a plus for Newcastle. “He’s not going away [to AFCON], which is a big, big plus for Newcastle, which I think is the right decision. “I don’t think it would have been a good look had he played those games and then gone off for another month or so. It’s the right decision.”

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