With less than a week until transfer deadline day, the race to bring new players to Newcastle United is heating up.
Rafa Benitez is keen to bolster his squad before next Wednesday’s deadline, with only Kenedy arriving on loan from Chelsea to date.
The Spaniard has confirmed that Brighton bid for Aleksandar Mitrovic but that was turned down and that the Serbian will not be leaving to a Premier League rival unless they want to pay £50 million.
“I have been clear with him and his agent that he will only leave if we sign players, and not to a Premier League rival," Benitez said.
“I see Brighton are interested, but we are not selling any player to any other Premier League club - unless they want to come with £50m.”
The Magpies are trying to bring Feyenoord forward Nicolai Jorgensen to St James’ Park, but the Dutch outfit are still waiting for an improved offer after an initial bid of €14.5m was turned down.
That has since been increased to a reported £15m - but that bid was also rejected.
Reports in Holland suggest United will have to pay €25m to land the Dane - a fee which would break their current transfer record.
While Newcastle’s striker hunt goes on, the club were also linked with a move for Everton’s Sandro Ramirez.
The IB Times claim Newcastle are interested in the Spanish forward, with a loan deal thought to be the preferred option.
Sandro’s £100k wages have not put off Benitez , although it is expected that Newcastle would need Everton to subsidise those for a move to go ahead.
Newcastle tried to sign the former Barcelona man in the summer but he chose to join Everton. However it is thought Sandro would prefer a move to Seville.
Elsewhere, Sparta Prague are still waiting for Newcastle to return with a new offer for Martin Dubravka.
The Magpies have enquired about the availability of the 29-year-old Slovakia international goalkeeper, with an initial loan offer with an option to buy for £4million rebuffed last week.
Dubravka was left out of Sparta’s friendly against Loko Vitavin, sparking rumours that he was close to joining United.
However, it is understood that the Czech club have given Dubravka time off during their winter break and that the goalkeeper was always scheduled to miss that match.
According to Spanish publication El Confidencial, Newcastle are among a number of clubs scouting young Real Betis star Fabian Ruiz.
The central midfielder has starred for Los Verdiblancos this season, taking on a more prominent role since Dani Ceballos joined Real Madrid.
The 21-year-old has two goals and two assists in 16 La Liga appearances and the boyhood Betis fan has a release clause of €15m.
Barcelona are said to be keeping tabs on Ruiz, while the report also states Newcastle, Arsenal, West Ham, Chelsea and Everton have been sending scouts to watch him at the Benito Villamarin ground.
The Spanish under-21 international is currently contracted to Betis until 2020.
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Newcastle United in the January transfer window
Mikel Merino has impressed since arriving in the summer, but Athletic Bilbao have been credited with an interest in the Spaniard.
They tried to sign him in the summer but he opted to join Newcastle. However, with Aymeric Laporte set to join Manchester City, he is said to be back on their radar according to El Correo.
A January move is difficult to justify as the club’s directors failed to act decisively to bring him to the club, although they could return in the summer - particularly if Newcastle are relegated from the Premier League.