The Magpies showed their commitment to leaving no stone unturned in the transfer window as one of their top talent spotters took his place at Wembley
Daichi Kamada of Japan, Elliot Anderson (R) and Kobbie Mainoo of England compete for the ball during the friendly at Wembley
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Newcastle United senior scout Mick Tait was an interested spectator in the stands at Wembley last night as England took on Japan.
With transfer targets and scouting missions vital for Newcastle in the next few weeks and months, this was more than just a meaningless friendly.
Tait's appearance in the capital comes 24 hours after CEO David Hopkinson pledged a 'big summer' at St James' Park in terms of recruitment. Hopkinson did also indicate that Newcastle may also have to sell a player or two in order to lure in a 'box office' signing.
One player that certainly has not been ruled out at is former Academy star Elliot Anderson who started for England against Japan and came close to scoring at [Wembley when he clipped the bar in the first half.](https:// https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/elliot-anderson-gesture-ex-newcastle-33693812) But perhaps the man he started alongside in Kobbie Maino may have been on Tait's watch-list.
The 20-year-old Manchester United star is contracted until 2027 at Old Trafford but is unsettled, and with the Red Devils sniffing around Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes, he could yet come into the equation for Newcastle. Mainoo had 97 touches and rolled nine through balls forward on a frustrating night for England.
Tait is second in command to head of recruitment Steve Nickson so his presence would not have been to keep a watchful eye on the Newcastle players on show last night. Other possible targets that Eddie Howe likes were named on the bench in James Trafford and Dominic Solanke.
Zion Suzuki makes a save during the international friendly match between England and Japan
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Solanke came on for the last half an hour and created one chance but this was not a night for attackers and not a night for the ex-Bournemouth man who we know Howe likes. In truth, Newcastle should be taking a serious look at the Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki.
The 6ft 3in New Jersey-born stopper made a host of key saves to deny Lewis Hall and Marcus Rashford. Currently at Parma, Newcastle could do worse than the 23-year-old if a goalkeeper reshuffle is on the cards.
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Notably, on transfers, Hopkinson had said: "What I will tell you is we intend to be as disciplined, active, thoughtful and proactive as we possibly can, but what's the outcome going to be? I couldn't begin to tell you."
The CEO also added: "We are not prepared to comment on how we might be operating on signings right now, other than we all agree we need to be prepared for either scenario, deeply and extensively now, as opposed to waiting to see which scenario we are in."
"We have two directions of planning. Two scenarios with a multitude of strategies that follow either scenario."
When asked specifically about Whitley Bay lad Anderson and whether Manchester City would easily pip the Magpies because of their ability to offer double the wages, Hopkinson said: "I can't comment on what Man City are going to do or not do. We are looking at what we can do."
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