The January transfer window is beginning to heat up and, as expected, speculation regarding potential incomings at Newcastle United is rife.
In the past week the Magpies have been linked with a diverse range of defenders, midfielders and forwards from the domestic leagues and further afield, however, despite their clear intentions to recruit in January, Mark Douglas of The Chronicle has ruled out a number of prospective signings arriving at United this month.
Douglas claims that, although Newcastle have been offered the opportunity to re-sign former striker Loic Remy, the Magpies currently harbour no interest in completing a deal for the French international.
This news is somewhat baffling considering the fact that United are desperately struggling for firepower, and Remy has previously shown that he can score goals in a black-and-white shirt, after bagging 14 goals in 26 appearances during the 2013/14 Premier League season.
Want-away Crystal Palace striker Dwight Gayle was also touted as a shock transfer target for Newcastle in a number of publications yesterday, but Douglas insists that there is ‘absolutely nothing’ in rumours linking the former non-league sensation with a surprise switch to Tyneside.
Another name that has cropped up in recent weeks is that of Hull City defender Michael Dawson. Douglas understands that, although McClaren is a fan of the seasoned English centre-back, Newcastle are currently uninterested in bringing the Tigers’ captain to St James’ Park.
Surprisingly, Douglas suggests that the most far-fetched transfer rumour to have emerged over the past few days could actually have some legs to it.
As has become customary in recent transfer windows, the Magpies have been linked with a sensational move to bring iconic Geordie striker Andy Carroll back to his boyhood club.
It’s claimed that Carroll is indeed on Newcastle’s radar, and the burly West Ham frontman still has ‘influential admirers’ within the United hierarchy. Douglas suggests that the 26-year-old was mentioned during transfer discussions in Autumn and teases that the move could be ‘one to watch’ over the coming weeks.
If Newcastle’s interest in Carroll is concrete, the Tynesiders would have to shell out a huge fee to bring the 6ft 4in striker back to his native North East, as the Hammers are understood to be keen on on making a profit on their £15million record signing after he recently returned to form and fitness.