Here is your morning Newcastle United transfer digest.
Newcastle United ‘close to signing’ Matt Targett
Reports emerged over the weekend claiming Newcastle United are trying to recruit Aston Villa left-back Matt Targett on loan.
Various outlets linked Newcastle with the 26-year-old defender.
The Athletic wrote: "A deal is not yet in place for Targett, though Newcastle have registered their interest and he is understood to be one of a number of targets the club are still pursuing. At this stage, however, a deal appears unlikely, though the pace of change on deadline day could see that alter.
"Villa want two players for each position but could allow Targett to leave as they have Lucas Digne, Ashley Young and now the versatile Calum Chambers who can cover in there."
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Newcastle ‘really like’ French striker Mohamed Bayo
French journalist Julien Laurens told the Sky Sports Transfer Talk podcast that Newcastle are keen on French striker Mohamed Bayo.
Explaining what he had heard about the interest, Laurens told the podcast: “Mohamed Bayo, the Clermont striker.
“He is one that they really, really like who I think is having a great season for his first ever in the top flight in France.
“He has a lot of the qualities that I think are required to do well for a striker in England, but again it’s really late, and Clermont would not let him go without a replacement.”
Magpies ‘monitoring’ Forest midfielder Ryan Yates
According to the Mirror, scouts from Newcastle have been keeping an eye on Nottingham Forest midfielder Ryan Yates as a potential option for the summer.
The paper reported : “Newcastle scouts are monitoring Nottingham Forest midfielder Ryan Yates as the club draw up transfer options in the event of relegation.”
The paper added: “Yates is not under consideration for a move this month as Newcastle focus on proven top-flight players.”
Yates, 24, has been impressing this season at Forest, who are currently eighth in the Championship under manager Steve Cooper.
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