Newcastle United appear to have been handed an early blow in their pursuit of a reported January target. 

Newcastle have been linked with several players – particularly right-wingers – after a major upturn in form, with five straight wins in the Premier League sending us just one points behind Chelsea in fourth.

It’s been reported (and stated by Eddie Howe) that the club must sell to buy this month in order to comply with PSR, but it appears they may have to wait until the summer for a certain January target. 

Bakayoko’s agent responds to transfer talk

Johan Bakayoko will not be signing for Newcastle this month according to his agent, Gerard Witters, meaning a deal will have to wait until the summer for the PSV winger.

“Bakayoko will not leave PSV this season, regardless of the amount,” Witters said, via the Sunday Mirror. This may be considered a massive setback after The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards reported last month that all members of our recruitment team were keen to pursue the Belgian in January.

It wouldn’t be the first time we’ve had to patient to secure our priority signing after a drawn out period before Sven Botman joined Newcastle, but if we are to strengthen this month we may be forced to look elsewhere.

Dibling now the one to watch?

Newcastle have a longstanding interest in Tyler Dibling and the pursuit of the teenager may be one to watch in the wake of the Bakayoko news as Toon look to secure a right-winger.

Craig Hope revealed that there will be an “attempt to sign” the 18-year-old this year, and this may be accelerated as Eddie Howe looks to his options to bolster his squad in January.

Our pursuit of Dibling may be aided by Paul Mitchell’s previous links to Southampton, where he worked as a sporting director, if we are to get a deal over the line for the rising star who is unlikely to be short of potential suitors.