Newcastle United are considering a January bid for Burnley winger Dwight McNeil, according to the Telegraph.
The 20-year-old Clarets star has emerged as one of the candidates discussed at St. James’ Park, as head coach Steve Bruce plots January reinforcements to sustain a challenge for a top-10 Premier League finish.
We head into the New Year 11th in the top-flight standings, with goal difference all that currently separates the Toon from 10th-placed Everton.
Bruce is concerned that his current squad does not possess the depth required to sustain our position, and hopes to make three signings in January to add the extra bit of quality he feels is missing.
Any action in the mid-season market is likely dependant on being able to free the wage bill of un-favoured options like £15million striker Dwight Gayle, outcasts Henri Saivet, Jack Colback and 2020-free agent Ki Sung-Yueng.
Around £20m is thought to be available before sales to make any signings this month, with McNeil among a range of plays discussed by the club’s transfer team.
Liverpool’s Adam Lallana, KRC Genk’s Mbwana Samatta, Chelsea’s Danny Drinkwater, Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka, Hull City’s Jarrod Bowen and Birmingham’s £20m sensation Jude Bellingham have also been mentioned at St. James’ Park.
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McNeil has impressed under Burnley boss Sean Dyche this season, with the 20-year-old England U21 international penning four assists and one goal in 20 Premier League games.
The former Manchester United trainee has featured in the starting line-up for each of the Turf Moor outfit’s top-flight matches this term, each coming on the left-hand side of Burnley’s attack.
He still has plenty of room to grow but has been dubbed as a £35m target for Manchester United, with the Red Devils keeping tabs on his situation as the Clarets would be reluctant to sell the youngster.
McNeil, who was released by Manchester United aged 14 as they felt his free-kicks were poor, has also been linked with a move to Crystal Palace should the Eagles lose Wilfried Zaha.
Rochdale-born McNeil has been successful with 41 of his 78 dribbles in the Premier League thus far this season, along with playing 27 key balls, 35 accurate crosses, 17 accurate corners from 35, 11 accurate free-kicks from 20, and has taken 22 shots with 13 coming from outside of the penalty area, per WhoScored data.
In other Newcastle United news, the club are looking to sign a highly-rated youngster whose attracting vast interest.