Eddie Howe is plotting a triple English swoop for Kieran Trippier, Ben Mee and James Tarkowski in the January window, according to The Sun’s Alan Nixon.
The report claims our new manager is eyeing up players who are tailor-made for the Premier League and can come in straight away to help keep us in the division.
It’s thought 31-year-old Tripper would cost around £25million from La Liga champions Atletico Madrid, with Burnley duo Tarkowski and Mee both out of contract in the summer – meaning they could be available for a cut-price fee.
The same report also credits us with interest in Hoffenheim midfielder Florian Grillitsch – another player whose deal is due to expire at the end of the season – and Fiorentina goal machine Dusan Vlahovic.
With a director of football unlikely to be in place by the time the January window comes around, it is likely that Howe – alongside Steve Nickson – will be tasked with signing off on players coming to Tyneside.
Defensive reinforcements should be a priority as we have conceded 30 goals already this season; Saturday’s win against Burnley was our first clean sheet in the league after 15 games.
