Newcastle is reported to be considering a January swoop for exciting young PSV Eindhoven winger Johan Bakayoko, who Liverpool is reportedly also interested in.
It is claimed that Eddie Howe is keen to strengthen on the right wing, with Miguel Almiron potentially on his way out of Tyneside, and that Bakayoko is viewed as a possible target that the club could move for when the transfer window reopens in the new year.
Belgium international Bakayoko, 21, has already played over 100 times for PSV while he has amassed 18 caps for his country. His club stats since the beginning of last season are impressive, with 19 goals scored and 16 assists registered across 64 appearances.
Southampton weather warning issued ahead of Liverpool game as several matches called off I rejected $28million transfer to Liverpool and ended up regretting itIt is claimed that Newcastle is also considering the likes of Anthony Elanga and Bryan Mbeumo to fill the right-wing role in Howe's team.
The report by TBR Football says that Brentford had a bid for Bakayoko rejected last summer, while Liverpool and Arsenal are also said to be keeping tabs on the young winger.
The Liverpool links with Bakayoko stem from the uncertainty surrounding Mohamed Salah's future at the club, with the Egyptian's future still unresolved.
Salah is into the final eight months of his Liverpool contract and there have been few indications over what the 32-year-old's plans are for the future, or indeed what Liverpool's plans are for its highest-paid star.
Salah will be 33 by the time his deal expires and Liverpool does not generally offer lengthy renewals to players over the age of 30, and the matter is complicated by the money Salah currently earns on Merseyside.
Given his explosive start to the season, it's hard to imagine that Salah would be willing to agree an extension on reduced terms, but Liverpool must also weigh up the likelihood of the player's level beginning to drop off in the coming years.
Salah is one of three key Liverpool players whose contracts are up at the end of this season, with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk in identical situations.
