Newcastle United are reportedly preparing to launch a stunning big-money offer to sign Eduardo Camavinga and Real Madrid have now made their stance on selling the Frenchman clear.
The Magpies could certainly do with the statement that signing such a player would create. Eddie Howe's side have been incredibly inconsistent so far this season, particularly going forward, and were made to pay for that against a struggling West Ham United side on Friday.
After suffering a 3-1 defeat, Howe told reporters: "The dynamism wasn't there. The physicality and the energy were missing. We scored early and could have grabbed hold of the game but we didn’t and let it slip away.
"It didn't look like a Newcastle team that we've seen in recent seasons. The body language, the collective spirit on the pitch, loads of little things weren’t there. It was a by-product of us just not being where we needed to be mentally."
Those at St James' Park are now facing the consequences for a chaotic summer in which they lost one of the world's best strikers, Alexander Isak. Whilst his replacement, Nick Woltemade, has made an impressive start, it's clear that Newcastle's attack in its entirety is still struggling to click again.
The eventual return of summer signing Yoane Wissa may still help things, but Newcastle sit as low as 13th in the Premier League as things stand - six points adrift of top four.
The January transfer window could also provide the Magpies with some much-needed solutions. The likes of Elliot Anderson and Hayden Hackney have already threatened to steal the headlines on that front, with Anderson particularly one to watch.
Whether it's the Nottingham Forest star, Hackney or perhaps even Camavinga, it seems clear that those in Tyneside are attempting to overhaul their midfield with the future in mind.
Newcastle readying £60m+ Camavinga offer
It's not just Anderson and Hackney who find themselves on the list of targets at St James' Park. According to reports in Spain, Newcastle are now readying an offer to sign Camavinga worth as much as €70m (£62m).
Eduardo-Camavinga-Real-Madrid
Camavinga has started just two of Real Madrid's 11 La Liga games so far this season, but the Spanish giants are reportedly maintaining their position that they won't sell the France international without welcoming an adequate replacement.
Xabi Alonso's recent praise reflects that position, handing Newcastle a frustrating obstacle to overcome if they want to secure the midfielder's signature.
"I have been watching him a lot. I think he has a massive potential and huge quality. Along with our team project, his individual project and development is important. He is a very dynamic player, he has a lot to offer."
The dynamism that Alonso mentioned would be vital for Newcastle. It would take Howe's midfield from robust to controlling and that change would only help bridge the gap on the Premier League's top sides.
PIF have the money to spend and Camavinga would certainly start in Tyneside. Whether Real Madrid are willing to change their sale stance remains to be seen, however.
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