Newcastle United linked with 25-year-old Premier League midfielder

Championship side Newcastle United are joint favourites with Celtic to secure the services of Everton midfielder James McCarthy, according to reports from HITC.

James McCarthy was regarded as one of the most promising young midfielders in the Premier League not too long ago following fine spells with Wigan Athletic and Everton.

Fast forward to today though, McCarthy seems to be struggling to even get a game at Goodison Park and there has been widespread speculation that the midfielder could well end up leaving Everton before too long.

Following the arrival of Idrissa Gueye this summer, it is suspected that Everton manager Ronald Koeman is now ready to dispense with the services of McCarthy and reports from HITC have claimed that Newcastle United are among the favourites alongside Scottish champions Celtic to sign the Republic of Ireland midfielder in January.

Newcastle had been linked with a move for McCarthy in the summer as well and the Magpies are rated as 4/1 to sign the 25-year-old this winter.