Loan with 'obligation to buy' offered to NUFC with French duo & former EPL star linked

Our manager search may be nearing a much needed conclusion, but it seems the transfer links will be never-ending between now and the January transfer window.

First up is Phillipe Coutinho - the forgotten man at Barcelona and a name that's just not going away.

Spanish outlet SPORT state that we have shown interest and will be offered the chance to sign him on loan deal that includes an 'obligation to buy' the Brazilian next summer.

The former Liverpool star was tipped to become the Saudis first big signing when a takeover looked imminent last summer and12 months on he's still being tipped to arrive on Tyneside.

Then to France, where Foot Mercato are reporting that we are 'very much interested' in signing Arsenal's Mattéo Guendouzi.

The 22-year-old is currently impressing during a loan spell at Marseille, however it's claimed they could look to make a quick profit on the midfielder next summer by selling him to St James' Park soon after they activate their option to buy for £9.5m.

Given he was signed by Emery during his time at Arsenal, it makes you wonder if this is a rumour born out of the fact he nearly became the new manager on Tyneside earlier this week? It makes you wonder.

Elsewhere, Le Parisien claim we are showing interest in RB Leipzig's Christopher Nkunku.

The Frenchman has been in superb form this season, bagging 10 goals and six assists from midfield - including a stunning hat-trick in a Champions League defeat to Man City in September.

He has a new agent in Pini Zahavi and is believed to be keen on securing a move to the Premier League, with Chelsea also said to be keen.