Newcastle United transfers as France international linked and interest in Serie A star 'accelerated'

Newcastle United are yet to make any new signings during the January transfer window - and now face a race against time to add to Eddie Howe’s squad ahead of next Monday’s deadline.

The Magpies have been linked with a whole host of weird and wonderful names in recent months but the only business completed during the first three weeks of the window were outgoing permanent and loan deals for a number of academy players. However, United boss Howe has insisted he will not panic over the final week of the window and stressed the need to make ‘right decisions’ if a player is to come in.

Speaking on Friday, he said: “No, I'm not panicking. I think that is the worst thing you can do in the transfer market is make rash decisions. So I think we have our strategy. I'll say it time and again. PSR is controlling what we're able to do. And I think you'll understand that gives us limited room to manoeuvre, to try and bring a player in that's good enough to elevate the group and to have a long-term future at the football club.

“With the finances we have available, it's very, very difficult. So let's see what happens in the last few days. I mean, anything can happen from this point onwards, but certainly we will try not to panic and we'll try and make the right decisions.”

Newcastle are believed to be keen to add a defender to their squad before the transfer window comes to a close next Monday - but SportsBoom have claimed the Magpies are ready to provide competition to Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the race to sign Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta. The France international was a key part of the Eagles side that lifted the FA Cup last season following a shock Wembley win against Manchester City before becoming Community Shield winners with a victory against Liverpool.

Although he has not quite hit the heights of last season during the current campaign, Mateta has scored ten goals in 33 games in all competitions and that has reportedly triggered interest from Spurs, Aston Villa and Serie A giants Juventus. Newcastle are said to be ‘plotting a swoop’ for the frontman after contract negotiations hit an impasse and suggest the Magpies are one of a number of clubs that have ‘expressed an interest’ in the Eagles star.

Magpies ‘accelerate their interest’ in Serie A star

Newcastle have been linked with a move for a Serie A defender as they consider a late move in the transfer window.

Football Insider have claimed the Magpies are monitoring the progress of former Arsenal right-back Brooke Norton-Cuffy as they consider their options to improve their defensive options during the final week of the January transfer window and the upcoming summer transfer window.

As it stands, experienced duo Kieran Trippier and Emil Krafth will bring an end to their time with Newcastle when their contracts expire at the end of the season and that would leave Tino Livramento as the Magpies only senior right-back. A decision will be taken over the short-term future of promising youngster Leo Shahar, who has impressed during a difficult season for the Magpies Under-21s and could be sent out on loan next season to boost his progress.

The report claims Newcastle are ready to ‘accelerate their interest’ in Norton-Cuffy and they have been joined by Everton and West Ham in sending scouts to watch the 22-year-old in action and journalist Pete O’Rourke believes the full-back is under consideration by the Magpies.

He told the Inside Track podcast: “He’s had a very good season for them in Serie A. I’m sure the player himself would love the opportunity to come back to England and show that he’s good enough to play in the Premier League. He came though the Arsenal ranks before joining Genoa in search of first-team football, and he’s had a quicker pathway there and done really well.

“That’s why we’re getting this interest from the likes of Newcastle, Everton and even West Ham. Newcastle, we know they have got defensive issues at the minute. Livramento is out for a couple of months, Emil Krafth’s injured, Fabian Schar is out and Dan Burn is working his way aback to fitness as well. I think if money is available, Newcastle would look to try and strengthen in that area. Kieran Trippier could be moved on next summer as well when his contract expires, so right-back could be an area of the team that Newcastle look to strengthen in, and Norton-Cuffy is somebody they’ve looked at.”

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