Newcastle identify two January targets with £60m quoted for exciting winger - Report

Newcastle United have made the signing of a new right-winger a top priority, with Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo and Byran Mbeumo high on the list ahead of the January transfer window.

Mark Douglas at the iPaper reports that, with highly-rated centre-back Sven Botman set to make a return from injury later this month, Newcastle’s recruitment team have shifted their focus to improving the right flank.

The club have sounded out Semenyo, who has shone for the South Coast club so far this season, but the Cherries have slapped a £60 million asking price on the Ghanaian’s head.

Meanwhile, Mbeumo, who is nearing the final two years of his contract, is another option being monitored, but equally, Newcastle have been informed that they must pay a significant sum to land the player mid-season from Brentford.

It’s said that director of football, Paul Mitchell, has made no formal contact with Bournemouth or Brentford over the two players, with the club also exploring cost-effective alternatives, mainly from overseas.

Under-21 prospects with long-term potential are also being targeted. However, the iPaper does not reveal any of the possible names under consideration.

The Toon currently sit in 11th place in the Premier League after a poor start to the campaign and face leaders Liverpool at St James' Park this evening.

Eddie Howe emphasised the need for new names within the squad, in what could be seen as a slight dig at the hierarchy.
“Sometimes the same squad can produce staleness and a negative product,” Howe noted. “It’s about what we’re able to do rather than what we want to do.”

Both Semenyo and Mbeumo are Premier League proven right wingers with their best years ahead of them, but signing either mid-season won’t come cheap and will almost certainly rely on someone to be sold, with PSR restrictions continuing to complicate our transfer plans.