Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe remains calm on the recruitment front despite 50 per cent of the allotted time in the January window used up.
Howe stated on Friday that he was still considering 'all positions' this month but was linked with a deep-lying midfielder in Wolverhampton's Ruben Neves over the weekend. With 18 months left of the Portugal star's contract left with Wolves the current window could be the ideal time to strike with his club not expecting him to sign a new contract.
Although, Howe stated clearly on Friday that he had not enquired about Manchester United's Scott McTominay despite multiple reports linking Newcastle with the Scotland international.
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Moussa Diaby
By no means a new link for Newcastle and even talked up as the Magpies' "dream" signing this week in the German Press. Talk is increasing around Europe that United now have stiff competition from Arsenal for the £60million-rated left winger.
With Newcastle and the Gunners going to toe to toe for the Champions League places, and the Magpies beating Mikel Arteta's side to Bruno Guimaraes last January, there is a quiet rivalry building between the two clubs. Perhaps that came to the surface with Arteta's out of control reaction during the stalemate earlier this month.
However. Arsenal are likely to have the same issue as Newcastle with Bayer Leverkusen playing hardball for the wide man. They are also trying to tempt him to stay longer in the Bundesliga with an extension to the deal that expires in 2025.
With Leverkusen sitting in 12th place though Diaby will want to see more ambition. Bayer face Monaco in the knockout stages of the Europa League so hopes of glory this term aren't completely over yet.
Since Newcastle's interest in the summer, however, Diaby can only be impressed with the season so far for Newcastle.
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic
Reports in Italy have linked Newcastle with the Lazio star after Arsenal - again - were credited with interest in the Serbia star. Yet no deal was struck between the Rome side and Arsenal.
The deal understood to be on the table is a loan until the end of the season with a £45million fee at the end of term. Milinkovic-Savic has been a regular for Lazio this term, scoring three goals from midfield and captaining the Serie A side on occasion. He is represented by former Chelsea player Mateja Kežman.
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