Newcastle are reportedly interested in signing Scott McTominay - but Manchester United want to keep the Scotland international.
McTominay, 26, has two-and-a-half years remaining on his existing deal, which United can extend by a further 12 months if they wish. The midfielder has played 19 games under Erik ten Hag this season and is considered a useful member of the squad.
Newcastle are trying to bolster their ranks in pursuit of European football. Eddie Howe's side are third in the Premier League table, two points ahead of Tottenham in fifth. A top-six finish for Newcastle this season would be deemed as a success.
As reported by the Mail, McTominay is admired by Newcastle's recruitment team - but the Red Devils don't want to let him go in January. United will surely view Newcastle as their rivals, as they are level on points with Howe's high-flying team.
Newcastle were among the favourites to be relegated last season before a Saudi-backed consortium completed a takeover in October 2021 - making them one of the richest clubs on the planet. The new owners have set their sights on Premier League success.
" Newcastle United deserves to be top of the Premier League," Toon director Amanda Staveley told Sky Sports. "We want to get there. It will take time, but we will get there."
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Staveley added: "We want to see it get those trophies, obviously. At top of the Premier League, in Europe, but to get trophies means patience, investment, time. We want everybody to work with us to build the club towards what it needs to be."
Newcastle were in the relegation zone when the takeover was completed and needed to build a squad capable of staying up. Manager Steve Bruce was quickly replaced by Howe and various players were brought in during the following transfer window.
Kieran Trippier, Chris Wood, Bruno Guimaraes, Dan Burn and Matt Targett were among those to arrive in January 2021 and helped Newcastle comfortably survive, finishing 11th in the table. They were viewed as sensible rather than glamorous signings.
That transfer policy was adopted again in the summer, with the likes of Nick Pope, Sven Botman and Alexander Isak moving to St James' Park. McTominay, who is not viewed as one of United's most glamorous players, would be a similar signing.
Newcastle will be expected to sign established world class players if and when they qualify for the Champions League. The Magpies must take Financial Fair Play into consideration and Howe has admitted that will have an impact on their January plans.
"Anything we do do in January then potentially harms us for the summer," Howe has said. "There is always another window coming up and what you don’t want to do is handcuff yourself for future windows, so there’s a lot to consider."
